Tumor necrosis factor receptor (tnfr) binding protein complex with improved binding and bioactivity

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) binding protein complex comprising 12 or more N protein ligands (PLs) that specifically bind to the extracellular part of the same TNFR. Preferably, the TNFR binding protein complex binds to the extracellular part of TNFR2. Preferably, the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention further comprises a two or more polymerization domains (PD).

The present invention relates to a tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) binding protein complex comprising 12 or more protein ligands (PLs) that specifically bind to the extracellular part of the same TNFR. Preferably, the TNFR binding protein complex binds to the extracellular part of TNFR2.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The TNFR superfamily (TNFR-SF) is a protein superfamily of 27 known cytokine receptors. The TNFRs are typically expressed as trimeric type I transmembrane proteins. As a common feature, they contain up to six cysteine-rich domains (CDRs) in their extracellular domains.

A biological function is exerted by the binding of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligands and activation of the TNFRs. The TNF superfamily is comprised of 19 known ligands, which all share an extracellular TNF homology domain (THD). The THD triggers formation of non-covalent homotrimers. The homotrimeric structure represents the active form and is conserved among the members of the TNF ligand family. TNF ligands are typically expressed as type II transmembrane proteins, whereby in most ligands the extracellular domain can be subject to proteolytic cleavage into a soluble ligand.

TNF ligands and TNFRs are involved in diverse biological processes such as the selective induction of cell death in potentially dangerous and superfluous cells or the provision of costimulatory signals, thereby eliciting an effective immune response. These diverse and important regulatory roles in immunity make them of great interest in the development of TNFR-targeted immune-therapeutics.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a protein complex capable of effectively modulating the activity of a TNFR.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a dodecavalent tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) binding protein complex comprising 12 or more protein ligands (PLs) that specifically bind to the extracellular part of the same TNFR, preferably to TNFR2.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein complex according to the first aspect of the present invention or a PLG (protein ligand group) or provides a PLG comprised in the protein complex according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to the second aspect of the present invention.

In a forth aspect, the present invention provides a complex according to the first aspect of the invention, a nucleic acid molecule according to the second aspect of the present invention and a vector according to the third aspect of the present invention for use as a medicament.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active agent a complex according to the first aspect of the present invention or a nucleic acid molecule according to the second aspect of the present invention or a vector according to the third aspect of the present invention.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a complex according to the first aspect of the present invention or a nucleic acid molecule according to the second aspect of the present invention or a pharmaceutical composition according to the fifth aspect of the present invention for use in the diagnosis, prophylaxis or treatment of hyperproliferative disorders or inflammatory disorders or degenerative disorders.

FIGURES

FIG. 1: Schematic representation of TNFR-binding protein complexes of the present invention. (a) a protein ligand group (PLG) comprising three PLs (PL1 to PL3), which are connected via linker L1 to form a trivalent structure; (b) a dodecavalent complex including four trivalent PLGs of (a) (PLG1 to PLG4), which are connected via linker L2; (c) an oligomerized dodecavalent complex comprised of four trivalent PLGs of (a) (2×PLG1 and 2×PLG2) and two dimerization domains, wherein the PLG1s are fused to the N-terminus of each dimerization domain via linker L3 and the PLG2s are fused to the C-terminus of each dimerization domain via linker L4; (d) an oligomerized dodecavalent complex comprised of four PLGs of (a) (2×PLG1 and 2×PLG2) and two dimerization domains, wherein the PLG1s and PLG2s are connected via linker L2 and each PLG2 is fused to the N-terminus of each dimerization domain via linker L3; (e) an oligomerized dodecavalent complex comprised of four PLGs of (a) (2×PLG1 and 2×PLG2) and two dimerization domains, wherein the PLG1s and PLG2s are connected via linker L2 and each PLG2 is fused to the C-terminus of each dimerization domain via linker L3; (f) an oligomerized dodedecavalent complex comprised of four trivalent PLGs (4×PLG1) and four tetramerization domains, wherein each PLG1 is fused to the C-terminus of each dimerization domain via linker L3; (g) oligomerized dodecavalent complex comprised of four trivalent PLGs (4×PLG1) and four tetramerization domains, wherein each PLG1 is fused to the N-terminus of each dimerization domain via linker L3; (h) an oligomerized octadecavalent complex comprised of six trivalent PLGs of (a) (3×PLG1 and 3×PLG2) and three trimerization domains, wherein the PLG1s are fused to the N-terminus of each trimerization domain via linker L3 and the PLG2s are fused to the C-terminus of each trimerization domain via linker L4.

FIG. 2: Schematic representation of TNFR-binding protein complexes comprising human TNF (A) and mouse TNF (B) as PL. (a) a trivalent protein ligand group (PLG) comprising three PLs connected by linker L1; the PL is a TNFR2-binding mutant (D143N/A145R for human TNF (A), (D221N/A223R) for mouse TNF (B) of single-chain TNF (scTNF_(R2) (human) and sc-mTNF_(R2) (mouse)); (b) an oligomerized hexavalent complex comprised of two trivalent PLGs of (a) and two dimerization domains EHD2 from IgE CH₂, wherein each trivalent PLG is fused to the C-terminus of a dimerization domain (EHD2-sc-TNF_(R2) (human) and EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2) (mouse)); (c) an oligomerized dodecavalent complex comprised of four trivalent PLGs of (a) and four tetramerization domains from p53, wherein each trivalent PLG is fused to the C-terminus of the tetramerization domain (p53-sc-TNF_(R2) (human) and p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) (mouse)); (d) an oligomerized dodecavalent complex comprised of four trivalent PLGs of (a) and four tetramerization domains from GCN4, wherein each trivalent PLG is fused to the C-terminus of a tetramerization domain (GCN4-sc-TNF_(R2) (human), GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) (mouse)).

FIG. 3: SDS PAGE analysis of TNFR-binding protein complexes. TNFR-binding protein complexes were produced in HEK293-6E cells and purified by affinity chromatography followed by size exclusion chromatography. Analysis of mouse protein derived (A, B) and human protein derived (C, D) complexes by Coomassie staining (A, C) and immunoblot staining (B, D) under reducing (in the presence of 2-mercapto ethanol, +2-ME) and non-reducing conditions (in the absence of 2-mercapto ethanol, −2-ME).

FIG. 4: Native structure of TNFR-binding protein complexes. Complexes where analyzed by size exclusion chromatography using a BioSep-Sec-2000 column. Positions of used standard proteins are indicated.

FIG. 5: Specific binding of TNFR-binding protein complexes. Binding of recombinant mouse TNF (rmTNF) and mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes (A, B) and recombinant human TNF (rhTNF) and human TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes (C, D) to mouse TNFR1-Fc (A), human TNFR1-Fc (C), mouse TNFR2-Fc (B), and huTNFR2-Fc (D) as determined by ELISA (n=3; ±SEM).

FIG. 6: Comparative affinity analyses of TNFR-binding protein complexes. Binding of the mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes to human TNFR2 was analyzed by QCM at high density (A; 270 Hz) and low density (B; 130 Hz) of immobilized human TNFR2-Fc. The proteins were analyzed at concentrations between 1-32 nM (A) or 8-256 nM (B) at 37° C. in triplicates for each concentration (dashed lines=measured data, solid lines=fitted curves).

FIG. 7: Lack of activation of TNFR1 by TNFR-binding protein complexes. (A) HeLa cells were incubated with different concentrations or rmTNF as well as mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes. The supernatant was analyzed for the presence of IL-6 using ELISA (n=3; ±SEM). (B) L929 cells where incubated with different concentrations of rmTNF as well as mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes in the presence of actinomycin D. The cell viability was determined via a crystal violet assay (n=3; ±SEM).

FIG. 8: TNFR2-induced cell death. Kym-1 cells where stimulated with (A) mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes and (B) human TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes. The cell viability was determined via a crystal violet assay (n=3; ±SEM).

FIG. 9: TNFR2-induced cell proliferation. Primary thymocytes isolated from C57BL/6 mice were incubated on anti-CD3 coated plates with mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes at different concentrations. The cell number was determined via an MTT assay (n=5; ±SEM).

FIG. 10: TNFR2-induced Cxcl-2 secretion. BV-2 cells were incubated for 24 hours with mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes. Then supernatant was harvested and analyzed for presence of secreted Cxcl-2 by ELISA (n=3±SEM).

FIG. 11: TNFR2-induced TNF/TNFR2 cluster formation (A) BV-2 cells were incubated with mouse-derived TNFR-binding protein complexes at different concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 nM) for 15 minutes. Then cells were fixed and localization of TNFR2 (Alexa Fluor 546) and oligomerized TNF muteins (Alexa Fluor 488) was visualized by immunofluorescence microscopy. TNF/TNFR2 clusters are visualized as large dots within the cells. DAPI was used to counterstain cell nuclei. Fluorescence was analyzed using a Zeiss Axio Observer Spinning Disc microscope. Representative pictures for stimulation with 1 nM of the oligomerized TNF muteins are shown. (B) Quantification of TNF/TNFR2 clustering (n=3±SEM).

FIG. 12: TNFR2-induced T cell activation. (A) CD3⁺ T cells isolated from human PBMCs were activated using plate-bound anti-CD3 antibodies and incubated in the presence of IL-2 and mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes. The expression of CD25 and HLA-DR was determined via flow cytometry. Shown is a representative donor. Combined data are from three independent experiments (n=3±SEM). (B) CD3⁺ T cells were isolated from mouse splenocytes via magnetic separation. T cells were activated using plate-bound anti-CD3 (5 μg/ml) and cultivated in presence of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and 0.3 nM of mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes for 4 days. Number of activated CD25⁺ TNFR2⁺ T cells was determined by flow cytometry. Shown is a representative donor. Combined data are from three independent experiments (n=3±SEM)

FIG. 13: TNFR2-induced expansion of Tregs. CD3⁺ T cells isolated from mouse splenocytes via magnetic separation were activated using plate-bound anti-CD3 (5 μg/ml) and cultivated in presence of IL-2 and 0.3 nM of mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes for 4 days. Number of CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs was determined by flow cytometry. Shown is a representative donor. Combined data are from three independent experiments (n=3±SEM)

FIG. 14: TNFR2-induced expansion of Tregs in vivo. Mouse TNF derived TNFR-binding protein complexes (1 mg/kg) were administered to C57BL/6 mice via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. The injection was repeated on day four. On day seven, spleen cells were isolated und the number of CD4+CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs was determined by flow cytometry (A). Blood was taken from treated animals 24 hrs and 72 hrs post injection of the indicated reagents and CRP serum levels were determined by ELISA (B).

FIG. 15: Dodecavalent TNFR binding complexes comprising scTNF_(R2) linked to Fc as dimerization domain or to the tetramerization domain of VASP. (A) scTNF_(R2)-Fc-scTNF_(R2) (according to FIG. 1c ) and VASP-scTNF_(R2) (according to FIG. 1f ) were produced in HEK293-6E cells, purified by Ni²⁺-NTA IMAC and analyzed under native buffer conditions by size exclusion chromatography on a Tosoh SuperSW mAb HR 7.8×300 mm column. The retention times of globular standard proteins are indicated as dotted lines. (B) The complexes were analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie staining under reducing (+2-ME) and non-reducing conditions (−2-ME). (C) Kym-1 cells were stimulated with dodecavalent scTNF_(R2)-Fc-scTNF_(R2), dodecavalent VASP-scTNF_(R2) and compared to hexavalent EHD2-scTNF_(R2). The cell viability was determined by crystal violet assay after 16 h of incubation (n=3±SD).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present invention is described in detail below, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols and reagents described herein as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which will be limited only by the appended claims. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Preferably, the terms used herein are defined as described in “A multilingual glossary of biotechnological terms: (IUPAC Recommendations)”, Leuenberger, H. G. W, Nagel, B. and Kölbl, H. eds. (1995), Helvetica Chimica Acta, CH-4010 Basel, Switzerland).

Several documents are cited throughout the text of this specification. Each of the documents cited herein (including all patents, patent applications, scientific publications, manufacturer's specifications, instructions, GenBank Accession Number sequence submissions etc.), whether supra or infra, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

Definitions

The term “protein” as used in the context of the present specification refers to a molecule comprising one or more polypeptides that resume a secondary and tertiary structure and additionally refers to a protein that is made up of several polypeptides, i.e. several subunits, forming quaternary structures. The protein may further comprise one or more modifications, preferably post-translational modifications. These modifications may comprise the addition of a functional groups, chemical modifications or structural changes. Added functional groups may be lipid groups, acyl groups, glycoside groups and the like. Chemical modifications of amino acids may be the conversion of arginine to citruline, the conversion of glutamine to glutamic acid, or asparagine to aspartic acid, and the like. Structural changes of amino acids may be the formation of a disulfide bridge, proteolytic cleavage, racemization, protein splicing, and the like.

The term “protein complex” as used herein, refers to protein constructs created by covalently joining two or more polypeptides or proteins, preferably head-to-tail, i.e. N-terminus to C-terminus or vice versa, resulting in a fusion protein with functional properties derived from the original protein. According to the present invention the term “complex” also encompasses multimeric, e.g. dimeric, trimeric, or tetrameric, complexes of fusion proteins, which are referred to herein as “subunits”. Preferably, the subunits of the protein complex associate non-covalently or covalently, e.g. via disulfide bonds.

The term “C-terminus” (also known as the carboxyl-terminus, carboxy-terminus, C-terminal tail, C-terminal end, or COOH-terminus) as referred to within the context of the present invention is the end of an amino acid chain (protein or polypeptide), terminated by a free carboxyl group (—COOH). When the protein is translated from messenger RNA, it is created from N-terminus to C-terminus. The term “N-terminus” (also known as the amino-terminus, NH₂-terminus, N-terminal end or amine-terminus) refers to the start of a protein or polypeptide terminated by an amino acid with a free amine group (—NH₂). The convention for writing peptide sequences is to put the N-terminus on the left and write the sequence from N- to C-terminus.

A “peptide linker” in the context of the present invention refers to an amino acid sequence which sterically separates two parts or moieties of a complex, e.g. two peptides or proteins. Typically such linker consists of between 1 and 100 amino acids having a minimum length of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 amino acids, and a maximum length of at least 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, or 15 amino acids or less. The indicated preferred minimum and maximum lengths of the peptide linker according to the present invention may be combined, if such a combination makes mathematically sense, e.g. such linker may consist of 1-15, 6-30, 12-40, or 25-75, or 1-100 amino acids. Peptide linkers may also provide flexibility among the two proteins that are linked together. Such flexibility is generally increased if the amino acids are small. Accordingly, flexible peptide linkers comprise an increased content of small amino acids, in particular of glycins and/or alanines, and/or hydrophilic amino acids such as serines, threonines, asparagines and glutamines. Preferably, more than 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% or more of the amino acids of the peptide linker are small amino acids.

The term “consensus sequence” as used within this specification refers to a calculated order of most frequent residues, either nucleotide or amino acid, found at each position in a sequence alignment between two or more sequences. It represents the results of a multiple sequence alignment in which related sequences are compared to each other and similar sequence motifs are calculated. Conserved sequence motifs are depicted as consensus sequences, which indicate identical amino acids, i.e. amino acids identical among the compared sequences, conserved amino acids, i.e. amino acids which vary among the compared amino acid sequence but wherein all amino acids belong to a certain functional or structural group of amino acids, e.g. polar or neutral, and variable amino acids, i.e. amino acids which show no apparent relatedness among the compared sequence.

The consensus sequence of the C-terminus and N-terminus of the THD is a sequence that is located within the TNF-ligand family member sequence, respectively, and is particularly conserved among TNF-ligand family members. These sequences delineate the part of the TNF-ligand family member participating in the trimerization of these ligands and interaction with their corresponding receptor(s). Accordingly, the two consensus sequences serve as C-terminal and N-terminal reference points within a given TNF-ligand family member, which may comprise additional N- or C-terminal amino acids that may not be present in other TNF-ligand family members. Thus, the use of consensus sequences allows to refer to the same region of different TNF-ligand family member without referring to a specific position as the N-terminal and C-terminal end of the fragment of the TNF-ligand family member present in the polypeptides of the invention. It is immediately apparent to the skilled person that the different lengths of N-terminal amino acids preceding the N-terminal consensus sequence in different TNF-ligand family members requires a definition of the C- and N-terminal reference point that is independent of the absolute position of the THD within the respective TNF-ligand family member.

The term “polymerization domain” or “PD” as used herein refers to a protein or polypeptide, a fragment or part of a protein or polypeptide which mediates a close proximity between two or more identical or different protein or polypeptide molecules (monomers) of the invention and thus, enables protein-protein interaction which allows di-, tri-, or tetramerization of two, three, four, respectively, or more structurally similar or different monomers joined by non-covalent or covalent bonds. The polymerization leads to the formation of a macromolecular complex formed by two or more, covalently or non-covalently bound, macromolecules such as proteins.

The term “TNF homology domain of TNF-ligand family member proteins” or “THD” as used in the present specification refers to a protein domain shared by all tumor necrosis factor (TNF, formerly known as TNFα or TNF alpha) ligand family members. Homology implies evolutionary lineage from a common ancestor. A homology domain is a conserved part of a given protein sequence and (tertiary) structure that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein chain. It is a structural feature shared by all members of a certain protein family. Each domain forms a compact three-dimensional structure and often can be independently stable, folded and critical for biological activity.

The C-terminus of a THD within the meaning of the present invention is defined by the C-terminal consensus sequence: -S/T/V-F/Y/S-F-G-A/L/V/I-X₁ (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the N-terminus is defined by one of the two N-terminal consensus sequences: X₂—V/A/F-A-H-V/L/I/Y (SEQ ID NO: 2) or X₃—V/W/F/C-A/L-E/Y/Q/H-L (SEQ ID NO: 3), wherein X₁ is a non-polar/hydrophobic or polar/neutral amino acid, preferably selected from the group consisting of F, V, Q, A, I, L, and Y; X₂ is selected from the group consisting of P, K, V, I, and A; and X₃ is selected from the group consisting of D, S, M, and I.

On the basis of a given TNF-ligand family member protein sequence and using above defined C-terminal and N-terminal homology sequences the skilled person can determine for the given TNF-ligand family member protein the THD. Among the members of the TNF family, the position and length of individual THDs vary considerably, but can be defined by the occurrence of conserved amino acid residues as identified by multiple sequence alignments using appropriate software tools (Bodmer et al., 2002). More importantly, crystal structures can reveal distinct interactions between amino acid residues involved in, for example, homotrimerization of TNF family ligands. Informations of such kind can be helpful to refine THDs for given members of the TNF superfamily as described in Bodmer et al., 2002.

Furthermore, functional aspects like protein solubility or bioactivity, such as receptor binding and activation, of engineered protein variants can provide important hints regarding crucial amino acid residues or the minimal length of individual THDs. The term THDs comprises polypeptides based on naturally occurring TNF-ligand family member protein sequences as well as variants thereof, which retain the ability to bind specifically to the receptor(s) of the respective TNF-ligand family member. Preferably such THD variants have an affinity of at least 50% of the wild type THD, more preferably at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and most preferably at least 99%.

TNF-ligand family member proteins comprise a group of multifunctional cytokines that can cause, e.g. programmed cell death (apoptosis), differentiation, cell survival, and immune regulation. TNF is a cytokine that has been implicated e.g. in tumor regression, inflammation, septic shock, and cachexia which is recognized by its specific receptors. Several cells in the body are capable of TNF production, with monocytes being a predominant source of TNF. Nineteen proteins have been identified as part of the TNF-ligand family on the basis of sequence, functional, and structural similarities. All these cytokines seem to form homotrimeric (or heterotrimeric in the case of LT-alpha/beta) complexes that are recognized by their specific receptors.

The following proteins are members of the TNF-ligand super family (TNFSF): TNF, TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL; TNFSF10), a cytokine that induces apoptosis; CD40L (TNFSF5=tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 5), a cytokine that seems to be important in B-cell development and activation; CD27L (TNFSF7), a cytokine that plays a role in T-cell activation which induces the proliferation of co-stimulated T cells and enhances the generation of cytolytic T cells; CD30L (TNFSF8), a cytokine that induces proliferation of T cells; FasL (TNFSF6), a cell surface protein involved in cell death; 4-1BBL (TNFSF9), an inducible T cell surface molecule that contributes to T-cell stimulation; OX40L (TNFSF4), a cell surface protein that co-stimulates T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Further members of the TNF-ligand family members comprise EDA; LTA (TNFSF1); LTB (TNFSF3); CD153 (TNFSF8); RANKL (TNFSF11); TWEAK (TNFSF12); APRIL (TNFSF13); BAFF (TNFSF13B); LIGHT (TNFSF14); VEGI (TNFSF15); GITRL (TNFSF18).

More information about the sequences of TNF-ligand super family members may be obtained for example from publicly accessible databases such as Genbank. TNF-ligand family members interact with their cognate receptors, e.g. TNF with TNFR1 and TNFR2, TRAIL with TRAILR1 (DR4), TRAILR2 (DR5), TRAILR3 (DcR1), TRAILR4 (DcR2) and OPG. The ligands mediate oligomerization and activation of their respective receptors. The interaction of members of the TNF receptor family with its ligands is characterized by binding of the receptors at the space between two of the three TNF-ligand family member protein monomers of the TNF-ligand family member protein homotrimer, the biological active form of TNF and other members of the TNF-ligand family.

The term “hexameric” or “hexavalent” defines a TNF-ligand family member with six THDs. The term “dodecameric” or “dodecavalent” defines a TNF-ligand family member with twelve THDs.

The term “peptidomimetic” as used within the context of the present specification refers to compounds which can specifically bind antigens, similar to an antibody, but are not structurally related to antibodies. Usually, peptidomimetics are artificial peptides or proteins with a molar mass of about 3 to 20 kDa which comprise one, two or more exposed domains specifically binding to an antigen. Examples include inter alia the LACI-D1 (lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor); affilins, e.g. human-γ B crystalline or human ubiquitin; cystatin; Sac7D from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius; lipocalin and anticalins derived from lipocalins; DARPins (designed ankyrin repeat domains); SH3 domain of Fyn; Kunits domain of protease inhibitors; monobodies, e.g. the 10^(th) type III domain of fibronectin; adnectins: knottins (cysteine knot miniproteins); atrimers; evibodies, e.g. CTLA4-based binders, affibodies, e.g. three-helix bundle from Z-domain of protein A from Staphylococcus aureus; Trans-bodies, e.g. human transferrin; tetranectins, e.g. monomeric or trimeric human C-type lectin domain; microbodies, e.g. trypsin-inhibitor-II; affilins; armadillo repeat proteins. Nucleic acids and small molecules are sometimes considered peptidomimetics as well (aptamers), but not artificial antibodies, antibody fragments and fusion proteins composed from these. Common advantages over antibodies are better solubility, tissue penetration, stability towards heat and enzymes, and comparatively low production costs.

As used herein, the term “variant” is to be understood as a polynucleotide or protein which differs in comparison to the polynucleotide or protein from which it is derived by one or more changes in its length or sequence. The polypeptide or polynucleotide from which a protein or nucleic acid variant is derived is also known as the parent or parental polypeptide or polynucleotide. The term “variant” comprises “fragments” or “derivatives” of the parent molecule. Typically, “fragments” are smaller in length or size than the parent molecule, whilst “derivatives” exhibit one or more differences in their sequence in comparison to the parent molecule. Also encompassed are modified molecules such as but not limited to post-translationally modified proteins (e.g. glycosylated, biotinylated, phosphorylated, ubiquitinated, palmitoylated, or proteolytically cleaved proteins) and modified nucleic acids such as methylated DNA. Also mixtures of different molecules such as but not limited to RNA-DNA hybrids, are encompassed by the term “variant”. Typically, a variant is constructed artificially, preferably by gene-technological means whilst the parent polypeptide or polynucleotide is a wild-type protein or polynucleotide. However, also naturally occurring variants are to be understood to be encompassed by the term “variant” as used herein. Further, the variants usable in the present invention may also be derived from homologs, orthologs, or paralogs of the parent molecule or from artificially constructed variant, provided that the variant exhibits at least one biological activity of the parent molecule, i.e. is functionally active.

The changes in the nucleotide or amino acid sequence may be nucleotide or amino acid exchanges, insertions, deletions, 5′- or 3′ truncations, N- or C-terminal truncations, or any combination of these changes, which may occur at one or several sites. In preferred embodiments, a variant usable in the present invention exhibits a total number of up to 200 (up to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, or 200) changes in the nucleotide or amino acid sequence (i.e. exchanges, insertions, deletions, and/or truncations). Amino acid exchanges may be conservative and/or non-conservative. Alternatively or additionally, a “variant” as used herein, can be characterized by a certain degree of sequence identity to the parent polypeptide or parent polynucleotide from which it is derived. More precisely, a protein variant in the context of the present invention exhibits at least 70% sequence identity to its parent polypeptide. A polynucleotide variant in the context of the present invention exhibits at least 70% sequence identity to its parent polynucleotide. Preferably, the sequence identity of protein variants is over a continuous stretch of 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or more amino acids. Preferably, the sequence identity of polynucleotide variants is over a continuous stretch of 60, 90, 120, 135, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300 or more nucleotides.

The term “at least 70% sequence identity” is used throughout the specification with regard to polypeptide and polynucleotide sequence comparisons. This expression preferably refers to a sequence identity of at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% to the respective reference polypeptide sequence or to the respective reference polynucleotide sequence.

In case where two sequences are compared and the reference sequence is not specified in comparison to which the sequence identity percentage is to be calculated, the sequence identity is to be calculated with reference to the longer of the two sequences to be compared, if not specifically indicated otherwise. If the reference sequence is indicated, the sequence identity is determined on the basis of the full length of the reference sequence indicated by SEQ ID, if not specifically indicated otherwise. For example, a peptide sequence consisting of 358 amino acids compared to the amino acid sequence of an IgG molecule may exhibit a maximum sequence identity percentage of 80, 09% (358/447) while a sequence with a length of 224 amino acids may exhibit a maximum sequence identity percentage of 50.11% (224/447). The similarity of nucleotide and amino acid sequences, i.e. the percentage of sequence identity, can be determined via sequence alignments. Such alignments can be carried out with several art-known algorithms, preferably with the mathematical algorithm of Karlin and Altschul (Karlin & Altschul (1993) Proc.

Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5877), with hmmalign (HMMER package, http://hmmer.wustl.edu/) or with the CLUSTAL algorithm (Thompson et al. (1994) Nucleic Acids Res. 22:4673-4680) available e.g. on http://www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/clustalw/ or on http://www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/clustalw2/index.html or on http://npsa-pbil.ibcp.fr/cgi-bin/npsa_automat.pl?page=/NPSA/npsa_clustalw.html. Preferred parameters used are the default parameters as they are set on http://www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/clustalw/or http://www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/clustalw2/index.html. The grade of sequence identity (sequence matching) may be calculated using e.g. BLAST, BLAT or BlastZ (or BlastX). A similar algorithm is incorporated into the BLASTN and BLASTP programs of Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410. BLAST polynucleotide searches are performed with the BLASTN program, score=100, word length=12. BLAST protein searches are performed with the BLASTP program, score=50, word length=3. To obtain gapped alignments for comparative purposes, Gapped BLAST is utilized as described in Altschul et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs are used. Sequence matching analysis may be supplemented by established homology mapping techniques like Shuffle-LAGAN (Brudno M. (2003b) Bioinformatics 19 Suppl 1:I54-I62) or Markov random fields. When percentages of sequence identity are referred to in the present application, these percentages are calculated in relation to the full length of the longer sequence, if not specifically indicated otherwise. “Hybridization” can also be used as a measure of sequence identity or homology between two nucleic acid sequences. A nucleic acid sequence encoding F, N, or M2-1, or a portion of any of these can be used as a hybridization probe according to standard hybridization techniques. Hybridization conditions are known to those skilled in the art and can be found, for example, in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, N. Y., 6.3.1-6.3.6, 1991. “Moderate hybridization conditions” are defined as equivalent to hybridization in 2× sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC) at 30° C., followed by a wash in 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C. “Highly stringent conditions” are defined as equivalent to hybridization in 6× sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC) at 45° C., followed by a wash in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

As used in this specification the term “nucleic acid” comprises polymeric or oligomeric macromolecules, or large biological molecules, essential for all known forms of life. Nucleic acids, which include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), are made from monomers known as nucleotides. Most naturally occurring DNA molecules consist of two complementary biopolymer strands coiled around each other to form a double helix. The DNA strand is also known as polynucleotides consisting of nucleotides. Each nucleotide is composed of a nitrogen-containing nucleobase as well as a monosaccharide sugar called deoxyribose or ribose and a phosphate group. Naturally occurring nucleobases comprise guanine (G), adenine (A), thymine (T), uracil (U) or cytosine (C). The nucleotides are joined to one another in a chain by covalent bonds between the sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate of the next, resulting in an alternating sugar-phosphate backbone. If the sugar is desoxyribose, the polymer is DNA. If the sugar is ribose, the polymer is RNA.

Typically, a polynucleotide is formed through phosphodiester bonds between the individual nucleotide monomers. In the context of the present invention the term “nucleic acid” includes but is not limited to ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and mixtures thereof such as e.g. RNA-DNA hybrids (within one strand), as well as cDNA, genomic DNA, recombinant DNA, cRNA and mRNA. A nucleic acid may consist of an entire gene, or a portion thereof, the nucleic acid may also be a miRNA, siRNA, or a piRNA.

As used in this specification the term “vector”, also referred to as an expression construct, is usually a plasmid or virus designed for protein expression in cells. The vector is used to introduce a specific gene into a target cell, and can use the cell's mechanism for protein synthesis to produce the protein encoded by the gene. The expression vector is engineered to contain regulatory sequences that act as enhancer and promoter regions and lead to efficient transcription of the gene carried on the expression vector. The goal of a well-designed expression vector is the production of significant amount of stable messenger RNA, and therefore proteins. Examples of suitable vectors include but are not limited to plasmids, cosmids, phages, viruses or artificial chromosomes. An example for a commonly used expression vector is pGEX-4T2.

The term “pharmaceutical composition” as used in the present application refers to a substance and/or a combination of substances being used for the identification, prevention or treatment of a tissue status or disease. The pharmaceutical composition is formulated to be suitable for administration to a patient in order to prevent and/or treat disease. Further a pharmaceutical composition refers to the combination of an active agent with a carrier, inert or active, making the composition suitable for therapeutic use. Pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated for oral, parenteral, topical, inhalative, rectal, sublingual, transdermal, subcutaneous or vaginal application routes according to their chemical and physical properties. Pharmaceutical compositions comprise solid, semisolid, liquid, transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS). Solid compositions are selected from the group consisting of tablets, coated tablets, powder, granulate, pellets, capsules, effervescent tablets or transdermal therapeutic systems. Also comprised are liquid compositions, selected from the group consisting of solutions, syrups, infusions, extracts, solutions for intravenous application, solutions for infusion or solutions of the carrier systems of the present invention. Semisolid compositions that can be used in the context of the invention comprise emulsion, suspension, creams, lotions, gels, globules, buccal tablets and suppositories.

The term “active agent” refers to the substance in a pharmaceutical composition or formulation that is biologically active, i.e. that provides pharmaceutical value. A pharmaceutical composition may comprise one or more active agents which may act in conjunction with or independently of each other. The active agent can be formulated as neutral or salt forms. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include those formed with free amino groups such as those derived from hydrochloric, phosphoric, acetic, oxalic, tartaric acids, etc., and those formed with free carboxyl groups such as but not limited to those derived from sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, ferric hydroxides, isopropylamine, triethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine, procaine, and the like.

The term “disease” and “disorder” are used interchangeably herein, referring to an abnormal condition, especially an abnormal medical condition such as an illness or injury, wherein a cell, a tissue, an organ, or an individual is not able to efficiently fulfil its function anymore. Typically, but not necessarily, a disease is associated with specific symptoms or signs indicating the presence of such disease. The presence of such symptoms or signs may thus, be indicative for a cell, a tissue, an organ, or an individual suffering from a disease. An alteration of these symptoms or signs may be indicative for the progression of such a disease. A progression of a disease is typically characterised by an increase or decrease of such symptoms or signs which may indicate a “worsening” or “bettering” of the disease. The “worsening” of a disease is characterised by a decreasing ability of a cell, tissue, organ or individual/patient to fulfil its function efficiently, whereas the “bettering” of a disease is typically characterised by an increase in the ability of a cell, tissue, an organ or an individual/patient to fulfil its function efficiently.

The term “hyperproliferative disorder” as used in the present application refers to disorders wherein the cell division of the cells is increased in relation to normal tissue. Such disorders are characterized by an abnormal proliferation (production) i.e. overproduction of cells. Hyperproliferative disorders comprise tumor diseases. Tumor diseases may comprise benign or malignant tumors wherein malignant tumor diseases are referred to as cancer. The term hyperproliferative disorder comprises cancers as well as pre-cancerous disorders. Cancer comprises proliferative disorders of mesenchymal origin, i.e. connective tissue (sarcomas) and of epithelial tissues (carcinomas). Common examples of sarcomas are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma and fibrosarcoma and sarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract (GIST). Examples for carcinomas are carcinomas of the skin, testis, liver, gastrointestinal tract such as esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and colon, nasopharynx, bladder, cervix, ovarian, urethra, bladder; prostate and other genitourinary carcinomas, lung, kidney, endocrine tissues such as thyroid and pituitary gland, teratocarcinomas, carcinomas of the brain. Malignancies of the hematologic system are classified as lymphoma or leukemia. Inflammation orchestrates the microenvironment around tumors, contributing to proliferation, survival and migration of cancer cells, thus potentially promoting malignant disease.

Inflammation is in principle a protective immunovascular response that involves immune cells, blood vessels, and a plethora of molecular mediators. The purpose of inflammation is to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out necrotic cells and tissues damaged from the original insult and the inflammatory process, and to initiate tissue repair. The term “inflammatory disorder” as used in the context of the present invention refers to a situation wherein a physiological inflammatory response turns into a potentially harmful effect for the body. Inflammatory disorders causing damage to normal tissues comprise but are not limited to autoimmune disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

The term “neurodegenerative disorder” as used in the present invention relates to a disorder involving the progressive loss of structure and function of neurons, including death of neurons. Neurodegenerative disease occurs typically as a result of a neurodegenerative process. Neurodegenerative diseases cause problems with movement (ataxias) or mental functioning (dementias).

The term “infectious diseases” as used in the present invention relates to a disorder caused by an infectious agent including viruses, viroids, prions, bacteria, nematodes such as parasitic roundworms and pinworms, arthropods such as ticks, mites, fleas, and lice, fungi such as ringworm, and other macroparasites such as tapeworms and other helminths. Mammalian hosts react to infections with an innate response, commonly involving inflammation. Disease can arise if the host's protective immune mechanisms are compromised and the organism inflicts damage on the host. Microorganisms and parasites can cause tissue damage by releasing a variety of toxins or destructive enzymes.

Embodiments

In the following passages different aspects of the invention are defined in more detail. Each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous. In the work leading to the present invention, it was surprisingly shown that the complexes of the present invention show superior activities in activating TNFRs.

Based on these results, the present invention relates in a first aspect to a tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) binding protein complex comprising 12 or more, preferably 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 protein ligands (PLs) that specifically bind to the extracellular part of the same TNFR. Preferably, the TNFR binding protein complex specifically binds to TNFR2. Accordingly, it is preferred that all PLs of the TNFR binding protein complex specifically bind to TNFR2.

The inventors successfully constructed a stable TNFR binding protein complex comprising at least 12 PLs. In addition, the inventors surprisingly found out that a complex comprising 12 or more PLs displays an increased specific binding when compared to a complex comprising 6 PLs, thereby being effective TNFR agonists exerting specific bioactivities of up to >10 fold higher compared to hexavalent PLs.

Highly potent compounds are necessary to be therapeutically efficient. This is of special relevance for e.g. neurodegenerative diseases, were neuroprotective compounds need to act in the central nervous system (CNS). The blood-brain-barrier, a tight barrier separating the blood-stream from the brain and spinal cord, limits the transport of therapeutics to the CNS. Due to the limited drug amount transported to the CNS, neuroprotective compounds, such as TNFR2 agonists, with direct beneficial effects on neuronal or glial cells, need to be highly potent to exert therapeutic effects. This may be favourably achieved with the complexes of the present invention.

As indicated above, the active sites/binding sites are conserved among the TNFRs and their corresponding TNF ligands. Accordingly, the principle of combining at least 12 PLs that specifically bind to the extracellular part of the same TNFR may be applied to any member of the TNF ligand family, from which follows that a stable ligand complex with high agonistic activity may be obtained.

It is preferred that the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention comprises between 12 to 30, preferably 12 to 18, more preferably 12 to 15 PLs. It is more preferred that the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention comprises 15 PLs. It is particularly preferred that the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention comprises 12 PLs.

The PLs of the TNFR binding protein complex according to the present invention may be selected independently of each other; e.g. the 12 to 30, preferably 12 to 18 PLs may have the same binding specificity, i.e. bind to the same target, preferably are identical or may be different. Otherwise, it is particularly preferred that all 12 to 30, preferably 12 to 18, more preferably 12 to 15 PLs, most preferred 12 PLs have the same binding specificity, preferably are identical. If the TNFR binding protein complex specifically binds to TNFR2 it may have 12 to 30, preferably 12 to 18, more preferably 12 to 15 PLs, most preferred 12 PLs have TNFR2 binding specificity, more preferably are identical PLs.

If the binding specificity is not directed at TNFR2 it is preferred that the TNFR binding protein complex according to the present invention comprises more than 15 PLs. Preferably 15 to 30, preferably 15 to 24, more preferably 15 to 18 PLs. It is also preferred that all of the PLs have the same binding specificity, more preferably are identical.

In other words, the PLs of the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention may be heterologues or may be homologues. Preferably, the PLs of the TNFR binding complex of the present invention are homologues.

It is further preferred that in the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention, between 2 to 6 PLs form a protein ligand group (PLG) with the following structure:

PL₁-L1-PL₂-L1-PL₃-L1-PL₄-L1-PL₅-L1-PL6,

wherein any of PL₄ to PL₆, and/or L1 may be absent or present, preferably PL₄ to PL₆ are absent and two L1 are present between PL₁ and PL₂ and PL₂ and PL₃, respectively; L1 in each case independently means a peptide linker.

It is preferred that 3 PLs form the PLG. It is particularly preferred that in the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention 3 PLs form a PLG with the following structure:

PL₁-L1-PL₂-L1-PL₃.

It is further preferred that the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention comprises between 2 to 6 PLGs and each PLG comprises between 2 to 6 PLs, under the proviso that the total number of PLs of the protein complex of the present invention is 12 or more.

It is preferred that the PLs and the linkers L1 of the complex of the present invention are connected via a covalent bond.

It is more preferred that the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention comprises between 4 to 6 PLGs and each PLG comprises 3 PLs. It is even more preferred that the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention comprises 4 or 6 PLGs and each PLG comprises 3 PLs.

It is further preferred that in the TNFR binding complex of the present invention, the PLGs are linked to each other by a peptide linker 2 (L2) to form a PLG-multimer.

It is preferred that the TNFR binding complex of the present invention 2 PLGs are linked to each other by a peptide linker L2 to form the following structure:

PLG₁-L2-PLG₂,

preferably wherein PLG₁ and PLG₂ are each formed by 3 PLs.

It is preferred that in the TNFR binding complex of the present invention 3 PLGs are linked to each other by a peptide linker L2 to form the following structure:

PLG₁-L2-PLG₂-L2-PLG₃,

wherein PLG₁ to PLG₃ are each formed by 3 PLs.

It is preferred that the TNFR binding complex of the present invention 4 PLGs are linked to each other by a peptide linker L2 to form the following structure:

PLG₁-L2-PLG₂-L2-PLG₃-L2-PLG₄,

preferably wherein PLG₁ to PLG₄ are each formed by 3 PLs.

It is preferred that the PLGs and the linkers L2 of the complex of the present invention are connected via a covalent bond.

It is preferred that in the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention further comprises two or more polymerization domains (PD).

Preferably, each of the two, three, four or more PDs are linked via their N- and/or C-terminus to a PLG or a PLG-multimer, optionally by a peptide linker 3 (L3). Thereby, two, three, four or more subunits of the complex of the present invention are formed. In other words, for each PD a subunit of the complex of the present invention is formed. It is noted that PLGs of different subunits are preferably not linked to each other, particularly not covalently.

Preferably, a subunit of the complex of the present invention may have the following structures:

PD-L3-PLG₁,

or

PLG₁-L3-PD,

preferably wherein PLG₁ is formed by 3 PLs.

Preferably, a subunit of the complex of the present invention may have the following structures:

PD-L3-PLG₁-L2-PLG₂,

or

PLG₁-L2-PLG₂-L3-PD,

preferably wherein PLG₁ and PLG₂ are each formed by 3 PLs.

Preferably, in a TNFR binding protein complex of the invention the two, three, four or more PDs are each inserted between two PLGs. More preferably, the two, three, four or more PDs are each inserted between two PLGs and linked to the PGLs by a peptide linker L3. Preferably, a subunit of the complex of the present invention comprising a PD inserted between two PLGs by peptides L3 may have one of the following structures:

PLG₁-L3-PD-L3-PLG₂

or

PLG₁-L2-PLG₂-L3-PD-L3-PLG₃-L2-PLG₄

preferably wherein PLG₁, PLG₂, PLG₃ and PLG₄ are each formed by 3 PLs.

More preferably, in a TNFR binding protein complex the two, three, four or more PDs are each inserted between two PLGs via peptide linkers L3 and L4, respectively. Preferably, L3 and L4 are not identical. Preferably, L3 and L4 are identical.

Preferably, in a subunit a PD is inserted between two PLGs may have one of the following structures:

PLG₁-L3-PD-L4-PLG₂,

or

PLG₁-L4-PD-L3-PLG₂,

preferably wherein PLG₁ and PLG₂ are each formed by 3 PLs, and preferably wherein L3 and L4 are not identical.

Preferably, in a subunit a PD is inserted between two PLGs may have one of the following structures:

PLG₁-L2-PLG₂-L3-PD-L4-PLG₃-L2-PLG₄,

or

PLG₁-L2-PLG₂-L4-PD-L3-PLG₃-L2-PLG₄,

preferably wherein PLG₁, PLG₂, PLG₃, and PLG₄ are each formed by 3 PLs, and preferably wherein L3 and L4 are not identical.

It is preferred that the PLGs and PD are connected with the linkers L3 and L4 of the complex of the present invention via a covalent bond.

Preferably, the PD is selected from the group consisting of a dimerization domain, a trimerization domain or a tetramerization domain. It is understood that when the complex of the present invention comprises two or more PD, the total number of PLs is 12 or more.

Preferably, the dimerization domain is selected from the group consisting of heavy chain domain 2 (CH2) of IgM (MHD2) or IgE (EHD2), immunoglobulin Fc region, heavy chain domain 3 (CH3) of IgG or IgA, heavy chain domain 4 (CH4) of IgM or IgE, Fab, Fab₂, leucine zipper motifs, barnase-barstar dimers, miniantibodies, and ZIP miniantibodies. Preferably, the dimerization domain is selected from the group consisting of EHD2 or an immunoglobulin Fc region. Preferably, the dimerization domain is EHD2. Preferably, the dimerization domain is a immunoglobulin Fc region. The immunoglobulin Fc region is the constant part of an IgG antibody that is naturally present in a dimeric form, covalently stabilized by two disulfide bonds, and can be used for dimerization of proteins. In this function, Fc can be present either in a wild-type form or preferably in a mutant form with abolished ADCC/CDC functionality (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity/complement-dependent cytotoxicity).

Preferably, the trimerization domain is selected from the group consisting of tenascin C (TNC), the trimerization region of the C-terminal noncollagenous domain (NC1) of collagen XVIII, Fab3-like molecules, and TriBi-minibodies. Preferably, the trimerization domain is a Fab3-like molecule.

Preferably, the tetramerization domain is selected from the group consisting of the tetramerization domain of p53, the tetramerization domain of the general control protein 4 (GCN4), the tetramerization domain of ena/VASP (enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) family of actin regulating proteins or synthetic variants derived thereof, tandem diabodies, and di-diabodies. Preferably, the tetramerization domain is selected from the group consisting of the tetramerization domain of p53, the tetramerization domain of the general control protein 4 (GCN4) or the tetramerzation domain of ena/VASP. Preferably, the tetramerization domain is selected from the group consisting of the tetramerization domain of p53 and the tetramerization domain of the general control protein 4 (GCN4). Preferably, the tetramerization domain is the tetramerization domain of p53. Preferably, the tetramerization domain is the tetramerization domain of the general control protein 4 (GCN4). Preferably, the tetramerization domain is the tetramerization domain of ena/VASP.

Preferably, each dimerization domain and trimerization domain comprises at least one amino acid residue capable of forming a covalent bond to at least one amino acid residue in another PD, preferably a Cys residue.

The peptide linkers L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the present invention are preferably glycine (G) rich peptide linkers, i.e. are amino acid sequences with a high glycine content of more than 50%; e.g. from at least 60 to 80%, for example of about 75%. Other amino acids which may be present in the peptide linker are for example serine residues or less preferably alanine residues or glutamine residues.

L1, L2, L3, or L4, respectively, may be selected independently of each other; e.g. the two or more linkers L1 may have an identical sequence or may have different sequences (in terms of sequence length and/or sequence amino acids), the two or more linkers L2 may have an identical sequence or may have different sequences (in terms of sequence length and/or sequence amino acids), and so on. However, it is preferred that L1, L2, L3, or L4, respectively, are identical.

L1 has a length of between 2 to 20 amino acids, preferably 2 to 15 amino acids, more preferably 3 to 10 amino acids and most preferably of 3 to 5 amino acids. L1 may comprise one or more repetitive units selected from the group consisting of (GGS)_(p), (GGGS)_(n) or (GGSGG)_(m), wherein p is an integer between 1 and 6, n is an integer between 1 and 5 and m is an integer between 1 to 4. L1 may be selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4 to 20. A preferred linker L1 has SEQ ID NO: 15

L2 has a length of between 4 to 32 amino acids, preferably 8 to 28 amino acids. L2 may comprise one or more repetitive units selected from the group consisting of (GGS)_(p), (GGGS)_(n) or (GGSGG)_(m), wherein p is an integer between 1 and 10, n is an integer between 1 and 8 and m is an integer between 1 to 6. A particularly preferred linker L2 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 21 to 41.

L3 has a length of between 4 to 32 amino acids, preferably 8 to 28 amino acids. L3 optionally comprises at least one glycosylation motif, preferably at least one motif is glycosylated. L3 may comprise one or more repetitive units selected from the group consisting of (GGS)_(p), (GGGS)_(n) or (GGSGG)_(m), wherein p is an integer between 1 and 10, n is an integer between 1 and 8 and m is an integer between 1 to 6. A particularly preferred linker L3 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 21 to 41.

L4 has a length of between 4 to 32 amino acids, preferably 8 to 28 amino acids. L4 optionally comprises at least one glycosylation motif, preferably at least one motif is glycosylated. Preferably, L4 may comprise one or more repetitive units selected from the group consisting of (GGS)_(p), (GGGS)_(n) or (GGSGG)_(m), wherein p is an integer between 1 and 10, n is an integer between 1 and 8 and m is an integer between 1 to 6. A particularly preferred linker L4 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 21 to 41.

In embodiments, wherein the complex of the present invention comprises L3 and L4, it is preferred that L3 and L4 are not identical in terms of sequence length and sequence amino acids.

Preferably, each PL is independently of each other selected from the group consisting of a TNF homology domain of a TNF-ligand family member protein (THD), a scaffold-protein and a peptidomimetic, wherein preferably the TNF homology domain is a human TNF homology domain. Preferably, the PL is a TNF homology domain of a TNF-ligand family member protein (THD), preferably wherein the TNF homology domain is a human TNF homology domain. Preferably, each PL is a TNF homology domain of a TNF-ligand family member protein (THD). Preferably, each PL is a TNF homology domain of a TNF-ligand family member protein (THD), wherein the TNF homology domain is a human TNF homology domain.

Preferably, the TNF-ligand family member protein is selected from the group consisting of TNF, TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL or TNFSF10, tumor necrosis factor superfamily member), CD40L (TNFSF5), CD27L (TNFSF7), CD30L (TNFSF8), FasL (TNFSF6), 4-1BBL (TNFSF9), OX40L (TNFSF4), EDA; LTA (TNFSF1), LTB (TNFSF3), CD153 (TNFSF8), RANKL (TNFSF11), TWEAK (TNFSF12), APRIL (TNFSF13), BAFF (TNFSF13B), LIGHT (TNFSF14), VEGI (TNFSF15), and GITRL (TNFSF18). Preferably, the TNF-ligand family member protein is selected from the group consisting of LT, TNF or TRAIL. More preferably, the TNF-ligand family member protein is TNF or LTA.

Preferably, the TNF-ligand family member protein comprises consists of one of the sequences according to SEQ ID NO: 42 to 79, as indicated in Table 1 below, or functional variants thereof. Preferably, the TNF-ligand family member protein comprises consists of one of the sequences according to human sequences SEQ ID NO: 42 to 48, 50 to 54 and 56 to 79 and functional variants thereof. The variants includes natural or artificial variations thereof or respective orthologs from other species. Preferred are orthologs from other mammalian species such as chimpanzee, mouse, rat, swine, etc.

TABLE 1 Possible components A AA SEQ ID Name: Position NO: Sequence TNF  89-233 42 VAHVVANPQAEGQLQWLNRRANALLANGVE LRDNQLVVPSEGLYLIYSQVLFKGQGCPSTHV LLTHTISRIAVSYQTKVNLLSAIKSPCQRETPEG AEAKPWYEPIYLGGVFQLEKGDRLSAEINRPD YLDFAESGQVYFGIIAL TNF  80-233 43 SSRTPSDKPVAHVVANPQAEGQLQWLNRRAN ALLANGVELRDNQLVVPSEGLYLIYSQVLFKG QGCPSTHVLLTHTISRIAVSYQTKVNLLSAIKS PCQRETPEGAEAKPWYEPIYLGGVFQLEKGDR LSAEINRPDYLDFAESGQVYFGIIAL TRAIL 120-281 44 QRVAAHITGTRGRSNTLSSPNSKNEKALGRKI NSWESSRSGHSFLSNLHLRNGELVIHEKGFYYI YSQTYFRFQEEIKENTKNDKQMVQYIYKYTSY PDPILLMKSARNSCWSKDAEYGLYSIYQGGIF ELKENDRIFVSVTNEHLIDMDHEASFFGAFLV G TRAIL 118-281 45 GPQRVAAHITGTRGRSNTLSSPNSKNEKALGR KINSWESSRSGHSFLSNLHLRNGELVIHEKGFY YIYSQTYFRFQEEIKENTKNDKQMVQYIYKYT SYPDPILLMKSARNSCWSKDAEYGLYSIYQGG IFELKENDRIFVSVTNEHLIDMDHEASFFGAFL VG TRAIL 116-281 46 ERGPQRVAAHITGTRGRSNTLSSPNSKNEKAL GRKINSWESSRSGHSFLSNLHLRNGELVIHEKG FYYIYSQTYFRFQEEIKENTKNDKQMVQYIYK YTSYPDPILLMKSARNSCWSKDAEYGLYSIYQ GGIFELKENDRIFVSVTNEHLIDMDHEASFFGA FLVG TRAIL 114-281 47 VRERGPQRVAAHITGTRGRSNTLSSPNSKNEK ALGRKINSWESSRSGHSFLSNLHLRNGELVIHE KGFYYIYSQTYFRFQEEIKENTKNDKQMVQYI YKYTSYPDPILLMKSARNSCWSKDAEYGLYSI YQGGIFELKENDRIFVSVTNEHLIDMDHEASFF GAFLVG TRAIL  95-281 48 TSEETISTVQEKQQNISPLVRERGPQRVAAHIT GTRGRSNTLSSPNSKNEKALGRKINSWESSRS GHSFLSNLHLRNGELVIHEKGFYYIYSQTYFRF QEEIKENTKNDKQMVQYIYKYTSYPDPILLMK SARNSCWSKDAEYGLYSIYQGGIFELKENDRIF VSVTNEHLIDMDHEASFFGAFLVG mouse  99-291 49 TFQDTISTVPEKQLSTPPLPRGGRPQKVAAHIT TRAIL GITRRSNSALIPISKDGKTLGQKIESWESSRKG HSFLNHVLFRNGELVIEQEGLYYIYSQTYFRFQ EAEDASKMVSKDKVRTKQLVQYIYKYTSYPD PIVLMKSARNSCWSRDAEYGLYSIYQGGLFEL KKNDRIFVSVTNEHLMDLDQEASFFGAFLIN FasL 144-281 50 RKVAHLTGKSNSRSMPLEWEDTYGIVLLSGV (CD95L) KYKKGGLVINETGLYFVYSKVYFRGQSCNNL PLSHKVYMRNSKYPQDLVMMEGKMMSYCTT GQMWARSSYLGAVFNLTSADHLYVNVSELSL VNFEESQTFFGLYKL FasL 142-281 51 ELRKVAHLTGKSNSRSMPLEWEDTYGIVLLSG (CD95L) VKYKKGGLVINETGLYFVYSKVYFRGQSCNN LPLSHKVYMRNSKYPQDLVMMEGKMMSYCT TGQMWARSSYLGAVFNLTSADHLYVNVSELS LVNFEESQTFFGLYKL FasL 137-281 52 PPEKKELRKVAHLTGKSNSRSMPLEWEDTYGI (CD95L) VLLSGVKYKKGGLVINETGLYFVYSKVYFRG QSCNNLPLSHKVYMRNSKYPQDLVMMEGKM MSYCTTGQMWARSSYLGAVFNLTSADHLYV NVSELSLVNFEESQTFFGLYKL FasL 130-281 53 QIGHPSPPPEKKELRKVAHLTGKSNSRSMPLE (CD95L) WEDTYGIVLLSGVKYKKGGLVINETGLYFVYS KVYFRGQSCNNLPLSHKVYMRNSKYPQDLV MMEGKMMSYCTTGQMWARSSYLGAVFNLTS ADHLYVNVSELSLVNFEESQTFFGLYKL FasL 120-281 54 QMHTASSLEKQIGHPSPPPEKKELRKVAHLTG (CD95L) KSNSRSMPLEWEDTYGIVLLSGVKYKKGGLVI NETGLYFVYSKVYFRGQSCNNLPLSHKVYMR NSKYPQDLVMMEGKMMSYCTTGQMWARSS YLGAVFNLTSADHLYVNVSELSLVNFEESQTF FGLYKL mouse 137-279 55 EKKEPRSVAHLTGNPHSRSIPLEWEDTYGTALI FasL SGVKYKKGGLVINETGLYFVYSKVYFRGQSC (CD95L) NNQPLNHKVYMRNSKYPEDLVLMEEKRLNY CTTGQIVVAHSSYLGAVFNLTSADHLYVNISQL SLINFEESKTFFGLYKL LT alpha  59-205 56 SNLKPAAHLIGDPSKQNSLLWRANTDRAFLQD GFSLSNNSLLVPTSGIYFVYSQVVFSGKAYSPK ATSSPLYLAHEVQLFSSQYPFHVPLLSSQKMV YPGLQEPWLHSMYHGAAFQLTQGDQLSTHTD GIPHLVLSPSTVFFGAFAL LT beta  82-244 57 DLSPGLPAAHLIGAPLKGQGLGWETTKEQAFL TSGTQFSDAEGLALPQDGLYYLYCLVGYRGR APPGGGDPQGRSVTLRSSLYRAGGAYGPGTPE LLLEGAETVTPVLDPARRQGYGPLWYTSVGF GGLVQLRRGERVYVNISHPDMVDFARGKTFF GAVMVG LT beta  86-244 58 GLPAAHLIGAPLKGQGLGWETTKEQAFLTSGT QFSDAEGLALPQDGLYYLYCLVGYRGRAPPG GGDPQGRSVTLRSSLYRAGGAYGPGTPELLLE GAETVTPVLDPARRQGYGPLWYTSVGFGGLV QLRRGERVYVNISHPDMVDFARGKTFFGAVM VG CD30L  97-234 59 KSWAYLQVAKHLNKTKLSWNKDGILHGVRY QDGNLVIQFPGLYFIICQLQFLVQCPNNSVDLK LELLINKHIKKQALVTVCESGMQTKHVYQNLS QFLLDYLQVNTTISVNVDTFQYIDTSTFPLENV LSIFLYSNSD CD30L 102-234 60 LQVAKHLNKTKLSWNKDGILHGVRYQDGNL VIQFPGLYFIICQLQFLVQCPNNSVDLKLELLIN KHIKKQALVTVCESGMQTKHVYQNLSQFLLD YLQVNTTISVNVDTFQYIDTSTFPLENVLSIFLY SNSD CD40L 116-261 61 GDQNPQIAAHVISEASSKTTSVLQWAEKGYYT MSNNLVTLENGKQLTVKRQGLYYIYAQVTFC SNREASSQAPFIASLCLKSPGRFERILLRAANT HSSAKPCGQQSIHLGGVFELQPGASVFVNVTD PSQVSHGTGFTSFGLLKL CD40L 113-261 62 MQKGDQNPQIAAHVISEASSKTTSVLQWAEK GYYTMSNNLVTLENGKQLTVKRQGLYYIYAQ VTFCSNREASSQAPFIASLCLKSPGRFERILLRA ANTHSSAKPCGQQSIHLGGVFELQPGASVFVN VTDPSQVSHGTGFTSFGLLKL OX40L  52-183 63 VSHRYPRIQSIKVQFTEYKKEKGFILTSQKEDEI MKVQNNSVIINCDGFYLISLKGYFSQEVNISLH YQKDEEPLFQLKKVRSVNSLMVASLTYKDKV YLNVTTDNTSLDDFHVNGGELILIHQNPGEFC VL OX40L  55-183 64 RYPRIQSIKVQFTEYKKEKGFILTSQKEDEIMK VQNNSVIINCDGFYLISLKGYFSQEVNISLHYQ KDEEPLFQLKKVRSVNSLMVASLTYKDKVYL NVTTDNTSLDDFHVNGGELILIHQNPGEFCVL RANKL 161-317 65 EAQPFAHLTINATDIPSGSHKVSLSSWYHDRG WAKISNMTFSNGKLIVNQDGFYYLYANICFRH HETSGDLATEYLQLMVYVTKTSIKIPSSHTLM KGGSTKYWSGNSEFHFYSINVGGFFKLRSGEEI SIEVSNPSLLDPDQDATYFGAFKVRDID RANKL 140-317 66 IRAEKAMVDGSWLDLAKRSKLEAQPFAHLTIN ATDIPSGSHKVSLSSWYHDRGWAKISNMTFSN GKLIVNQDGFYYLYANICFRHHETSGDLATEY LQLMVYVTKTSIKIPSSHTLMKGGSTKYWSGN SEFHFYSINVGGFFKLRSGEEISIEVSNPSLLDP DQDATYFGAFKVRDID TWEAK  94-249 67 SAPKGRKTRARRAIAAHYEVHPRPGQDGAQA GVDGTVSGWEEARINSSSPLRYNRQIGEFIVTR AGLYYLYCQVHFDEGKAVYLKLDLLVDGVL ALRCLEEFSATAASSLGPQLRLCQVSGLLALRP GSSLRIRTLPWAHLKAAPFLTYFGLFQVH TWEAK 105-249 68 RAIAAHYEVHPRPGQDGAQAGVDGTVSGWEE ARINSSSPLRYNRQIGEFIVTRAGLYYLYCQVH FDEGKAVYLKLDLLVDGVLALRCLEEFSATA ASSLGPQLRLCQVSGLLALRPGSSLRIRTLPWA HLKAAPFLTYFGLFQVH LIGHT  83-240 69 LIQERRSHEVNPAAHLTGANSSLTGSGGPLLW ETQLGLAFLRGLSYHDGALVVTKAGYYYIYS KVQLGGVGCPLGLASTITHGLYKRTPRYPEEL ELLVSQQSPCGRATSSSRVWWDSSFLGGVVH LEAGEKVVVRVLDERLVRLRDGTRSYFGAFM V CD27L  51-193 70 ESLGWDVAELQLNHTGPQQDPRLYWQGGPA LGRSFLHGPELDKGQLRIHRDGIYMVHIQVTL AICSSTTASRHHPTTLAVGICSPASRSISLLRLSF HQGCTIASQRLTPLARGDTLCTNLTGTLLPSRN TDETFFGVQWVRP CD27L  56-193 71 DVAELQLNHTGPQQDPRLYWQGGPALGRSFL HGPELDKGQLRIHRDGIYMVHIQVTLAICSSTT ASRHHPTTLAVGICSPASRSISLLRLSFHQGCTI ASQRLTPLARGDTLCTNLTGTLLPSRNTDETFF GVQWVRP 4-1BBL  85-254 72 LDLRQGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPGL AGVSLTGGLSYKEDTKELVVAKAGVYYVFFQ LELRRVVAGEGSGSVSLALHLQPLRSAAGAA ALALTVDLPPASSEARNSAFGFQGRLLHLSAG QRLGVHLHTEARARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFR VTPEIPAGLPSPRSE GITRL  50-177 73 QLETAKEPCMAKFGPLPSKWQMASSEPPCVN KVSDWKLEILQNGLYLIYGQVAPNANYNDVA PFEVRLYKNKDMIQTLTNKSKIQNVGGTYELH VGDTIDLIFNSEHQVLKNNTYWGIILLANPQFI S APRIL 112-250 74 KKQHSVLHLVPINATSKDDSDVTEVMWQPAL RRGRGLQAQGYGVRIQDAGVYLLYSQVLFQD VTFTMGQVVSREGQGRQETLFRCIRSMPSHPD RAYNSCYSAGVFHLHQGDILSVIIPRARAKLNL SPHGTFLGFVKL EDA-1 245-391 75 ENQPAVVHLQGQGSAIQVKNDLSGGVLNDWS RITMNPKVFKLHPRSGELEVLVDGTYFIYSQV EVYYINFTDFASYEVVVDEKPFLQCTRSIETGK TNYNTCYTAGVCLLKARQKIAVKMVHADISI NMSKHTTFFGAIRLGEAPAS EDA-2 245-389 76 ENQPAVVHLQGQGSAIQVKNDLSGGVLNDWS RITMNPKVFKLHPRSGELEVLVDGTYFIYSQV YYINFTDFASYEVVVDEKPFLQCTRSIETGKTN YNTCYTAGVCLLKARQKIAVKMVHADISINM SKHTTFFGAIRLGEAPAS VEGI  72-251 77 LKGQEFAPSHQQVYAPLRADGDKPRAHLTVV RQTPTQHFKNQFPALHWEHELGLAFTKNRMN YTNKFLLIPESGDYFIYSQVTFRGMTSECSEIRQ AGRPNKPDSITVVITKVTDSYPEPTQLLMGTKS VCEVGSNWFQPIYLGAMFSLQEGDKLMVNVS DISLVDYTKEDKTFFGAFLL VEGI  93-251 78 DKPRAHLTVVRQTPTQHFKNQFPALHWEHEL GLAFTKNRMNYTNKFLLIPESGDYFIYSQVTFR GMTSECSEIRQAGRPNKPDSITVVITKVTDSYP EPTQLLMGTKSVCEVGSNWFQPIYLGAMFSLQ EGDKLMVNVSDISLVDYTKEDKTFFGAFLL BAFF 134-285 79 AVQGPEETVTQDCLQLIADSETPTIQKGSYTFV PWLLSFKRGSALEEKENKILVKETGYFFIYGQ VLYTDKTYAMGHLIQRKKVHVFGDELSLVTL FRCIQNMPETLPNNSCYSAGIAKLEEGDELQL AIPRENAQISLDGDVTFFGALKLL

TNF-ligand family members interact with their cognate receptors, e.g. TNF with TNFR1 and TNFR2, TRAIL with TRAILR1 (DR4), TRAILR2 (DR5), TRAILR3 (DcR1), TRAILR4 (DcR2) and OPG, etc. The ligands mediate oligomerization and activation of their respective receptors. The interaction of members of the TNF receptor family with its ligands is characterized by binding of the receptors at the space between two of the three TNF-ligand family member protein monomers of the TNF-ligand family member protein homotrimer, the biological active form of TNF and other members of the TNF-ligand family.

Accordingly, the TNFR is selected from the group consisting of tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (1A), tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (1B), lymphotoxin beta receptor (3), OX40 (4), CD40 (5), Fas receptor (6), decoy receptor 3 (6B), CD27 (7), CD30 (8), 4-1BB (9), death receptor 4 (10A), death receptor 5 (10B), decoy receptor 1 (1° C.), decoy receptor 2 (10D), RANK (11A), osteoprotegerin (11B), TWEAK receptor (12A), TACI (13B), BAFF receptor (13C), herpesvirus entry mediator (14), nerve growth factor receptor (16), B-cell maturation antigen (17), glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related (18), TROY (19), death receptor 6 (21), death receptor 3 (25), ectodysplasin A2 receptor (27). Preferably, the TNFR is TNF_(R2).

Regarding the suitability of TNFR2 as a therapeutic target, regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of T-lymphocytes that modulate the immune system, maintain tolerance to self-antigens and abrogate autoimmune disease, by suppression or downregulation of effector T cell induction and proliferation. Enhancing suppressive activity of Tregs is thought to have diverse clinical applications in transplantation, allergy, asthma, infectious diseases, graft versus host disease (GvHD) and autoimmunity.

Tregs express high levels of TNFR2 and the expression of TNFR2 defines a unique subtype of Tregs with highly potent suppressive activity. Whereas TNFR2 seems not to be necessary to maintain Treg activity, recent results suggest that TNFR2 mediates the activation of Tregs and plays a functional role in their expansion and stabilization.

Next to its immune regulatory role, TNFR2 critically contributes to neuronal survival and regeneration. In contrast to TNFR1, which promotes neuronal tissue destruction, TNFR2 was protective in a mouse model of retinal ischemia via activation of the PKB/Akt pathway. Mechanistically, it was shown that TNF can protect primary cortical neurons from TNFR1 knockout mice against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, whereas neurons from TNFR2 knockout mice are not protected. Similar results were observed in the cuprizone-induced mouse model of demyelination and remyelination, where genomic ablation of TNF resulted in delayed remyelination and a reduction in the pool of proliferating oligodendrocyte progenitors followed by a reduced number of mature oligodendrocytes. Analysis of TNFR1^(−/−) and TNFR2^(−/−) mice indicated that TNFR2 is critical for TNF-mediated oligodendrocyte regeneration, demonstrating that tissue regeneration is dependent on the signaling of TNF via TNFR2. Further in vitro studies have revealed that dopaminergic neurons were protected from H₂O₂ or 6-OHDA induced cell death by selective activation of TNFR2 after the toxic insult.

In addition, TNFR2 activation in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) enhanced the expression of anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative proteins such as BCL-2 and SOD2, which may stabilize the mitochondrial membrane and thus might contribute to the observed TNFR2-mediated protection of OPCs against H₂O₂-induced cell death. TNFR2 activation also promotes the release of anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic factors from astrocytes which can promote oligodendrocyte differentiation and may thus support remyelination. Summarizing, TNFR2 is involved in immune regulation, e.g. via expansion of Tregs, and tissue protection and regeneration.

Soluble and transmembrane TNF, the former naturally derived through TACE mediated proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain of the latter, tmTNF, differ in their capability to stimulate signaling via TNFR1 and TNFR2. Binding of either sTNF or tmTNF can activate TNFR1, whereas TNFR2 is only fully activated by tmTNF. Whereas sTNF shows a remarkably high affinity for TNFR1 (KD=1.9·10⁻¹¹ M), the affinity for TNFR2 is significantly lower (KD=4.2·10⁻¹⁰ M). It was proposed that the high affinity for TNFR1 is mainly caused by stabilization of the ligand/receptor complexes, while transient binding of sTNF to TNFR2 results in short-lived complexes which may be inefficient to induce intracellular signaling. Concluding, efficient activation of TNFR2 requires stable receptor complex formation by the membrane form of TNF. The activation of TNFR2 by tmTNF can be mimicked by e.g. oligomerized soluble forms of tmTNF.

Mutations in the TNF sequence can lead to a loss of binding/affinity to TNFR1 thereby leading to selectivity for TNFR2. Preferably, TNF has a sequence based on SEQ ID NO: 43, which further comprises one or more TNF_(R2) specific mutations selected from the group consisting of D143Y, D143F, D143E, D143N, E146Q, E146H, E146K A145R/S147T, Q88N/T89S/A145S/E146A/S147D, Q88N/A1451/E146G/S147D, A145H/E146S/S147D, A145H/S147D, L29V/A145D/E146D/S147D, A145N/E146D/S147D, A145T/E146S/S147D, A145Q/E146D/S147D, A145T/E146D/S147D, A145D/E146G/S147D, A145D/S147D, A145K/E146D/S147T, A145R/E146T/S147D, A145R/S147T, E146D/S147D, E146N/S147, K65W, D143N, D143E, D143F, D143W, D143Y, D143V, D143V/F144L/A145S, D143N/A145R, D143V/A145S, A145R, A145H, A145K, A145F, and A145W.

Preferably, TNF has a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 80, which is based on SEQ ID NO: 43, and comprises the TNFR2 specific mutation D143N/A145R.

Preferably, a PLG according to the present invention comprises three TNF protein ligands according to SEQ ID NO: 80. Preferably, the three TNF protein ligands are covalently fused via a peptide linker, preferably via a peptide linker according to SEQ ID NO: 15. Preferably, a PLG according to the present invention has SEQ ID NO: 81

Preferably, in the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention, the C-terminus of the first THD, respectively, which is defined by the C-terminal consensus sequence

(SEQ ID NO: 1) -S/T/V-F/Y/S-F-G-A/L/V/I-X₁, is linked to the N-terminus of the second THD, which is defined by the N-terminal consensus sequence

(SEQ ID NO: 2) X₂-V/A/F-A-H-V/L/I/Y or (SEQ ID NO: 3) X₃-V/W/F/C-A/L-E/Y/Q/H-L, by L1, which has a length of 2 to 20 amino acids, preferably 2 to 15 amino acids, more preferably 3 to 10 amino acids and most preferably of 3 to 5 amino acids; wherein X₁ is a non-polar/hydrophob or polar/neutral amino acid, preferably selected from the group consisting of F, V, Q, A, I, L, and Y; wherein X₂ is selected from the group consisting of P, K, V, I, and A; and wherein X₃ is selected from the group consisting of D, S, M, and I optionally further comprising one to four further THDs each consecutively linked to each other in the same way as the first and second THD.

The peptidomimetic is selected from the group consisting of (lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI-D1); affilins, selected from human-γ B crystalline or human ubiquitin; cystatin; Sac7D from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius; lipocalin and anticalins derived from lipocalins; designed ankyrin repeat domains (DARPins); SH3 domain of Fyn; Kunits domain of protease inhibitors; monobodies selected from the 10^(th) type III domain of fibronectin; adnectins; cysteine knot miniproteins; atrimers; evibodies, selected from CTLA4-based binders, affibodies, selected from three-helix bundle from Z-domain of protein A from Staphylococcus aureus; trans-bodies, selected from human transferrin; tetranectins, selected from monomeric or trimeric human C-type lectin domain; microbodies, selected from trypsin-inhibitor-II; affilins; armadillo repeat proteins.

It is further preferred that the immunoglobulin Fc region dimerization domain is the human immunoglobulin Fc region dimerization domain, which has the SEQ ID NO: 82, or that the immunoglobulin Fc region dimerization domain is the human Fc mutant (Δab; E233P, L234V, L235A, ΔG236, A327G, A330S, P331S) with abolished ADCC/CDC functionality, which has the SEQ ID NO: 83. It is further preferred that the p53 dimerization domain is the human p53 dimerization domain, which has the SEQ ID NO: 84. It is further preferred that the GCN4 tetramerization domain is the yeast GCN4 tetramerization domain, which has the SEQ ID NO: 85. It is further preferred that the VASP tetramerization domain is the human ena/VASP (enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein), which has the SEQ ID NO: 86.

Particularly preferred complexes of the present invention are complexes comprising or consisting of subunits selected from the sequences SEQ ID NO: 87 to 90, wherein the PL is human TNF.

In a preferred embodiment, the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention comprises or consists of two subunits of SEQ ID NO: 87 (scTNF_(R2)—Fc-scTNF_(R2)). The dimerization of the two subunits results in a dodecavalent TNF complex characterized by four trivalent TNFR2 PLGs and two Fc dimerization domains, wherein two PLGs are fused to the N-terminus of each dimerization domain via linker L3 and two PLGs are fused to the C-terminus of each dimerization domain via linker L4.

In another preferred embodiment, the TNFR binding protein complex of the present invention comprises or consists of four subunits of SEQ ID NO: 88 (p53-scTNF_(R2)). The tetramerization of the four subunits results in a dodecavalent TNF complex characterized by four trivalent TNF_(R2) PLGs and four p53 tetramerization domains, wherein each PLG is fused to the C-terminus of the tetramerization domain via linker L3.

In a further preferred embodiment, TNFR binding protein complex comprises or consists of four subunits of SEQ ID NO: 89 (GCN4-scTNF_(R2)). The tetramerization of the four subunits results in a dodecavalent TNF complex characterized by four trivalent TNF_(R2) PLGs and four GCN4 tetramerization domains, wherein each PLG is fused to the C-terminus of the tetramerization domain via linker L3.

In an additional preferred embodiment, is a TNFR binding protein complex comprises or consists of four subunits of SEQ ID NO: 90 (VASP-scTNF_(R2)). The tetramerization of the four subunits results in a dodecavalent TNF complex characterized by four trivalent TNF_(R2) PLGs and four VASP tetramerization domains, wherein each PLG is fused to the C-terminus of the tetramerization domain via linker L3.

Also conceivable are TNFR binding protein complexes comprising or consisting of subunits of SEQ ID NO 91 (p53-sc-mTNF_(R2)) or comprising or consisting of subunits of SEQ ID NO: 92 (GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2)), wherein the PL is mouse TNF.

The inventors surprisingly found out that the complexes of the present invention show an up to tenfold improved activity e.g. compared to a hexavalent complex. Of these, a complex of four subunits, which are comprised of GCN4 and scTNF_(R2), is particularly potent.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides according to the first and second aspect of the present invention. The nucleic acid may be RNA or DNA or a hybrid thereof. Preferably, the nucleic acid also comprises sequences allowing for the expression of the polypeptide according the first aspect of the present invention in a suitable expression system. The nucleic acid can be codon optimized for the respective expression system.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a vector comprising the nucleic acid of the second aspect of the present invention. It is preferred that the genes of interest encoded by the introduced polynucleotide are expressed within the cell upon introduction of the vector or vectors. Preferably, the vector provides for transcription and expression of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid in a suitable host cell system. Preferably, the expression vector is selected from the group consisting of a bacterial, yeast, baculovirus, plant and mammalian expression vector, more preferably the expression vector is a bacterial expression vector or a cell-free expression vector.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides the polypeptide of the first aspect, the nucleic acid of the second aspect or the vector of the third aspect for use as a medicament.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the complex of the first aspect of the present invention, or the nucleic acid of the second aspect, or the vector of the fourth aspect. The pharmaceutical composition preferably further comprises pharmaceutical acceptable carriers and/or suitable excipients. The pharmaceutical composition is selected from the group consisting of solid, liquid, semi-solid or transdermal therapeutic systems. It is envisioned that the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise one or more complexes of the first aspect of the invention.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a polypeptide of the first or the second aspect, a nucleic acid of the third aspect or a vector of the fourth aspect or a pharmaceutical composition of the fifth aspect for use in the diagnosis, prophylaxis or treatment of hyperproliferative disorders or inflammatory disorders, preferably cancer or malignancies of the hematologic system, autoimmune disorders and degenerative diseases, preferably neurodegenerative diseases.

Preferred hyperproliferative diseases are selected from the group consisting of precancerosis; dysplasia; metaplasia; cancer; and skin diseases.

Particular preferred cancers to be treated by the polypeptides of the present invention are carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, bladder, prostate, endometrium, ovary, testes, skin, invasive oral cancers, small cell and non-small cell lung carcinomas, hormone-dependent breast cancers, hormone-independent breast cancers, transitional and squamous cell cancers, neurological malignancies including neuroblastoma, gliomas, astrocytomas, osteosarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas, hemangioamas, endocrinological tumors, hematologic neoplasias including leukemias, lymphomas, and other myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative diseases, carcinomas in situ, hyperplastic lesions, adenomas, fibromas, histiocytosis, chronic inflammatory proliferative diseases, vascular proliferative diseases and virus-induced proliferative diseases, skin diseases characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and/or T cells. Particular preferred diseases treatable with the compounds of the present invention are solid tumors, in particular lung, breast, pancreas, colorectal, ovarian, prostatic and gastric cancers and adenocarcinomas.

The precancerosis treatable with the polypeptides of the present invention are preferably selected from the group consisting of precancerosis of the skin, in particular actinic keratosis, cutaneaous horn, actinic cheilitis, tar keratosis, arsenic keratosis, x-ray keratosis, Bowen's disease, bowenoid papulosis, lentigo maligna, lichen sclerosus, and lichen rubber mucosae; precancerosis of the digestive tract, in particular erythroplakia, leukoplakia, Barrett's esophagus, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, crural ulcer, gastropathia hypertrophica gigantea, borderline carcinoma, neoplastic intestinal polyp, rectal polyp, porcelain gallbladder; gynaecological precancerosis, in particular carcinoma ductale in situ (CDIS), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), leukoplakia, endometrial hyperplasia (grade III), vulvar dystrophy, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), hydatidiform mole; urologic precancerosis, in particular bladder papillomatosis, Queyrat's erythroplasia, testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN), leukoplakia; carcinoma in situ (CIS); precancerosis caused by chronic inflammation, in particular pyoderma, osteomyelitis, acne conglobata, lupus vulgaris, and fistula.

Dysplasia is frequently a forerunner of cancer, and is found mainly in the epithelia; it is the most disorderly form of non-neoplastic cell growth, involving a loss in individual cell uniformity and in the architectural orientation of cells. Dysplastic cells often have abnormally large, deeply stained nuclei, and exhibit pleomorphism. Dysplasia characteristically occurs where there exist chronic irritation or inflammation. Dysplastic disorders which can be treated with the compounds of the present invention include, but are not limited to, anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, anterofacial dysplasia, asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia, atriodigital dysplasia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cerebral dysplasia, cervical dysplasia, chondroectodermal dysplasia, cleidocranial dysplasia, congenital ectodermal dysplasia, craniodiaphysial dysplasia, craniocarpotarsal dysplasia, craniometaphysial dysplasia, dentin dysplasia, diaphysial dysplasia, ectodermal dysplasia, enamel dysplasia, encephalo-ophthalmic dysplasia, dysplasia epiphysialis heminelia, dysplasia epiphysialis multiplex, dysplasia epiphysalis punctata, epithelial dysplasia, faciodigitogenital dysplasia, familial fibrous dysplasia of jaws, familial white folded dysplasia, fibromuscular dysplasia, fibrous dysplasia of bone, florid osseous dysplasia, hereditary renal-retinal dysplasia hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, lymphopenic thymic dysplasia, mammary dysplasia, mandibulofacial dysplasia, metaphysical dysplasia, Mondini dysplasia, monostotic fibrous dysplasia, mucoepithelial dysplasia, multiple epiphysial dysplasia, oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia, oculodentodigital dysplasia, oculovertebral dysplasia, odontogenic dysplasia, ophthalmomandibulomelic dysplasia, periapical cemental dysplasia, polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, pseudoachondroplastic spondyloepiphysial dysplasia, retinal dysplasia, septo-optic dysplasia, spondyloepiphysial dysplasia, and ventriculoradial dysplasia.

Metaplasia is a form of controlled cell growth in which one type of adult or fully differentiated cell substitutes for another type of adult cell. Metaplastic disorders, which are treatable are preferably selected from the group consisting of agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, apocrine metaplasia, atypical metaplasia, autoparenchymatous metaplasia, connective tissue metaplasia, epithelial metaplasia, intestinal metaplasia, metaplastic anemia, metaplastic ossification, metaplastic polyps, myeloid metaplasia, primary myeloid metaplasia, secondary myeloid metaplasia, squamous metaplasia, squamous metaplasia of amnion, symptomatic myeloid metaplasia and regenerative metaplasia.

Many skin diseases are characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and/or T cells. Examples of such diseases which are treatable with the compounds of the present invention comprise without limitations psoriasis in particular psoriasis vulgaris, psoriasis capitis, psoriasis guttata, psoriasis inversa; neurodermatitis; ichtyosises; alopecia areata; alopecia totalis; alopecia subtotalis; alopecia universalis; alopecia diffusa; atopic dermatitis; lupus erythematodes of the skin; dermatomyositis of the skin; atopic eczema; morphea; scleroderma; alopecia areata Ophiasis type; androgenic alopecia; allergic contact dermatitis; irritative contact dermatitis; contact dermatitis; pemphigus vulgaris; pemphigus foliaceus; pemphigus vegetans; scarring mucous membrane pemphigoid; bullous pemphigoid; mucous membrane pemphigoid; dermatitis; dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring; urticaria; necrobiosis lipoidica; erythema nodosum; prurigo simplex; prurigo nodularis; prurigo acuta; linear IgA dermatosis; polymorphic light dermatosis; erythema solaris; exanthema of the skin; drug exanthema; purpura chronica progressiva; dihydrotic eczema; eczema; fixed drug exanthema; photoallergic skin reaction; and perioral dermatitis.

Inflammatory disorders that can be treated with the polypeptides of the invention include but are not limited to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Addison's disease, agammaglobulinemia, alopecia areata, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also Lou Gehrig's disease; motor neuron disease), ankylosing spondylitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, antisynthetase syndrome, atopic allergy, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune aplastic anemia, autoimmune cardiomyopathy, autoimmune enteropathy, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune inner ear disease, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, autoimmune pancreatitis, autoimmune peripheral neuropathy, autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome, Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis, Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune urticarial, Autoimmune uveitis, Balo disease/Balo concentric sclerosis, Behçet's disease, Berger's disease, Bickerstaff's encephalitis, Blau syndrome, bullous pemphigoid, cancer, Castleman's disease, celiac disease, Chagas disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, cicatricial pemphigoid, Cogan syndrome, cold agglutinin disease, complement component 2 deficiency, contact dermatitis, cranial arteritis, CREST syndrome, Crohn's disease, Cushing's syndrome, cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis, Dego's disease, Dercum's disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, dermatomyositis, diabetes mellitus type 1, diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, discoid lupus erythematosus, Dressler's syndrome, drug-induced lupus, eczema, endometriosis, enthesitis-related arthritis, eosinophilic fasciitis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, eosinophilic pneumonia, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, erythema nodosum, erythroblastosis fetalis, essential mixed cryoglobulinemia, Evan's syndrome, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive, fibrosing alveolitis (or Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), gastritis, gastrointestinal pemphigoid, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, Graves' disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Hashimoto's encephalopathy, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, herpes gestationis aka gestational pemphigoid, hidradenitis suppurativa, Hughes-Stovin syndrome, hypogammaglobulinemia, idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (see autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura), IgA nephropathy, inclusion body myositis, interstitial cystitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis aka juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Kawasaki's disease, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, lichen planus, lichen sclerosus, linear IgA disease (LAD), lupoid hepatitis aka autoimmune hepatitis, lupus erythematosus, Majeed syndrome, microscopic colitis, microscopic polyangiitis, Miller-Fisher syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, morphea, Mucha-Habermann disease aka pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, myositis, Ménière's disease, narcolepsy, neuromyelitis optica (also Devic's disease), neuromyotonia, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, opsoclonus, myoclonus syndrome, Ord's thyroiditis, palindromic rheumatism, PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus), paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), Parry Romberg syndrome, pars planitis, Parsonage-Turner syndrome, pemphigus vulgaris, perivenous encephalomyelitis, pernicious anaemia, POEMS syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa, polymyalgia rheumatic, polymyositis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, progressive inflammatory neuropathy, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, pure red cell aplasia, pyoderma gangrenosum, Rasmussen's encephalitis, Raynaud phenomenon, Reiter's syndrome, relapsing polychondritis, restless leg syndrome, retroperitoneal fibrosis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, schizophrenia, Schmidt syndrome another form of APS, Schnitzler syndrome, scleritis, scleroderma, serum sickness, Sjögren's syndrome, spondyloarthropathy, stiff person syndrome, Still's disease see juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE), Susac's syndrome, Sweet's syndrome, Sydenham chorea, sympathetic ophthalmia, systemic lupus erythematosus see lupus erythematosus, Takayasu's arteritis, temporal arteritis (also known as “giant cell arteritis”), thrombocytopenia, Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, transverse myelitis, ulcerative colitis (one of two types of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease “IBD”), undifferentiated connective tissue disease different from mixed connective tissue disease, undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, urticarial vasculitis, vasculitis, vitiligo, and Wegener's granulomatosis.

Hypersensitvity includes but is not limited to allergy, such as asthma, anaphylaxis or atopy; cytotoxic-antibody-dependent diseases such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, rheumatic heart disease, erythroblastosis fetal, Goodpasture's syndrome, membranous nephropathy, Graves' disease, myasthenia gravis; immune complex diseases such as serum sickness, arthus reaction, rheumatoid arthritis, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, extrinsic allergic alveolitis (hypersensitivity pneumonitis), cell-mediated immune response such as contact dermatitis, Mantoux test, chronic transplant rejection, and multiple sclerosis.

Neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, tauopathy, Pick's disease, Parkinson's disease, neuropathy, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, Huntington's disease, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, Friedreich's ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome, fatal familial insomnia, kuru, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Batten disease.

Infectious diseases that can be treated with the polypeptides of the invention include but are not limited to anaplasmosis, anthrax, babesiosis, botulism, brucellosis, glanders (Burkholderia mallei), melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei), campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infection, chancroid, chikungunya, chlamydia, ciguatera, Clostridium difficile infection, Clostridium perfringens infection, Coccidioidomycosis fungal infection (valley fever), Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (transmissible spongioform), cryptosporidiosis, cyclosporiasis, dengue fever, diphtheria, Escherichia coli infection, Eastern equine encephalitis, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, ehrlichiosis, parainfectious or arboviral encephalitis, enterovirus infection, giardiasis, gonorrhea, granuloma inguinale, haemophilus influenza, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, hemolytic uremic syndrome, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, hepatitis E, herpes, histoplasmosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS), human papillomavirus, influenza, legionellosis, leprosy, leptospirosis, listerosis, Lyme disease, malaria, measles, viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), mumps, norovirus, paralytic shellfish poisoning, pediculosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pertussis, bubonic, septicemic, pneumonic plague, pneumococcal disease, polio, psittacosis, pthiriasis, smallpox, monkeypox, cowpox, Q-fever, rabies, rickettsiosis, rubella, salmonellosis gastroenteritis, scabies, scombroid, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), shigellosis gastroenteritis, methicillin resistant staphylococcal infection (MRSA), syphilis, tetanus infection, trichinosis, tuberculosis, rabbit fever, typhoid fever, typhus, bacterial vaginosis, varicella, cholera, vibrosis, Lassa hemorrhagic fever, Marburg hemorrhagic fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and zika.

Examples Example 1: Genetic Engineering of Complexes of the Present Invention

The tetramerization domains of human p53 (aa 320-359) (SEQ ID NO: 84) and yeast GCN4 (aa 249-281), specifically the mutant (M250L/L2531/L2601/L2671/L2741/V257L/V271L/V278L/N264L) (SEQ ID NO: 85), were fused to the N-terminal end of a human single-chain TNF variant (D143N/A145R, scTNF_(R2)) (SEQ ID NO: 81) or a mouse single-chain TNF variant (D221N/A223R, sc-mTNF_(R2)) (SEQ ID NO: 93).

The TNFR2-selective human TNF variant (scTNF_(R2)) and TNFR2-selective mouse TNF variant (sc-mTNF_(R2)) are trivalent PLGs according to the present invention. The TNF domains of the human scTNF_(R2) and mouse sc-mTNF_(R2) are connected via a peptide linker L1 consisting of GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 15). The trivalent human and mouse PLGs are connected via a peptide linker L3 consisting of GAPGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGSEFLA (SEQ ID NO: 41) and GAPGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGSGIR (SEQ ID NO: 40), respectively, to the tetramerization domains human p53 and yeast GCN4. The complexes based on these constructs (i.e. subunits) are denoted p53-scTNF_(R2) and GCN4-scTNF_(R2) (human) (SEQ ID NO: 88 and 89), and p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) and GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) (mouse) (SEQ ID NO: 91 and 92) (FIGS. 1 and 2).

For comparison, the dimerization domain (CH2) of EHD2 from IgE (SEQ ID NO: 94) was fused to the N-terminal end of the trivalent human single-chain scTNF_(R2) variant (D143N/A145R, scTNFR2) (SEQ ID NO: 81) and the trivalent mouse single-chain sc-mTNF_(R2) variant (D221N/A223R, sc-mTNF_(R2)) (SEQ ID NO: 93), respectively. The dimerization domains are connected to trivalent scTNF_(R2) and sc-mTNF_(R2) via a peptide linker L3 consisting of GGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGSEFLA (SEQ ID NO: 95) and GGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGSGIR (SEQ ID NO: 96), respectively. The TNF domains of the human scTNF_(R2) and mouse sc-mTNF_(R2) are connected via a peptide linker L1 consisting of GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 15). These complexes are denoted EHD2-scTNF_(R2) (human) (SEQ ID NO: 97) and EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2) (mouse) (SEQ ID NO: 98) (FIGS. 1 and 2).

For further comparison, human scTNF_(R2) and mouse sc-mTNF_(R2) were used, which are trimeric PLGs of the present invention. The TNF domains of the human scTNF_(R2) (SEQ ID NO: 81) and mouse sc-mTNF_(R2) (SEQ ID NO: 93) are connected via a peptide linker L1 consisting of GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 15).

The overall codon usage of the constructs was adapted for expression in mammalian cells. To facilitate purification, an N-terminal His-tag was introduced in all constructs.

Example 2: Production and Purification of Complexes of the Present Invention

HEK293-6E cells, grown in F17 medium (Life Technologies, Darmstadt, Germany), were transiently transfected with the DNA constructs according to Example 1 using polyethyleneimine (Sigma). The day after, Tryptone N1 (Organotechnie, TekniScience, Terrebonne, Canada) was added to the cell culture and cells were cultivated for additional 4 days. Then, supernatant was collected and recombinant proteins were isolated therefrom.

Supernatant was loaded onto a column comprising Ni-NTA agarose (Macherey-Nagel, Düren, Germany) and purified via immobilized metal ion chromatography (IMAC) and unbound proteins were removed using IMAC wash buffer (50 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.5). Bound proteins were eluted with IMAC elution buffer (50 mM sodium phosphate buffer, 250 mM imidazole, pH 7.5) and dialyzed (membrane cut-off 4-6 kDa, Roth, Karlsruhe, Germany) against PBS buffer (pH 7.4) overnight at 4° C. Dialyzed proteins were further purified by size exclusion chromatography. To this, the proteins were loaded on Superdex 200 10/300 GL or HiLoad 26/600 Superdex 200 pg gel filtration columns (GE Healthcare, Freiburg, Germany) using an ÄKTA FPLC device (GE Healthcare) (and eluted with PBS, pH 7.4).

Protein concentration was determined by measuring the absorbance at 280 nm.

For Coomassie staining, 2 μg of the purified proteins according to Example 1 were denatured in Laemmli buffer (50 mM TRIS pH 6.8, 4M urea, 1% SDS, 15% glycerol, 0.01% bromphenol blue, 5% 2-mercaptoethanol) under reducing conditions (in the presence of mercaptoethanol, +2-ME) and non-reducing conditions (in the absence of mercaptoethanol, −2-ME) and resolved by 8% SDS-PAGE (100V; 90 minutes). The SDS-PAGE gels were incubated in Coomassie staining solution (40% methanol, 10% acetic acid, 0.1% Coomassie brilliant blue) for 60 minutes at RT and destained using Coomassie destain solution (40% methanol, 10% acetic acic) (FIGS. 3A and 3C). Alternatively, InstantBlue stain (Expedion) was used for staining of proteins in SDS-PAGE gels (FIGS. 3B and 3C).

For immunoblot analysis, 1 μg protein was denatured in Laemmli buffer under reducing conditions (+2-ME) and non-reducing conditions (−2-ME) and resolved by 8% SDS-PAGE (100V; 90 minutes). Proteins were transferred from the SDS-PAGE gel onto nitrocellulose membranes (semidry blot; 1.5 mA/cm² gel for 90 minutes) and non-specific protein binding was blocked with 5% skimmed milk powder solution in PBS/0.1% Tween 20 for 30 minutes at room temperature (RT) after which the membrane was incubated overnight at 4° C. using specific antibodies. Following an incubation with HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies for 90 minutes at room temperature, the signals were detected by enhanced chemiluminescence (Super Signal, Pierce, Rockford, Ill., USA) (FIGS. 3B and 3D).

Under reducing conditions the TNF variants exhibited an apparent molecular mass that matches with the calculated molecular mass (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Calculated molecular mass of TNFR-binding protein complexes EHD2- p53- GCN4- scTNF_(R2) scTNF_(R2) scTNF_(R2) scTNF_(R2) MW 51.9 136.7 245.8 242.8 [kDa] EHD2-sc- p53-sc- GCN4-sc- sc-mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) MW 50.2 133.1 238.6 235.6 [kDa]

Example 3: Purity of Oligomerized Complexes of the Present Invention

The purity and oligomerization state of the protein complexes according to Example 1 was further characterized by HPLC size exclusion chromatography Approx. 20 μg protein was applied together with standard proteins to a BioSep-SEC-S2000 7.8×300 mm column (Phenomenex, Aschaffenburg, Germany) or a SuperSW mAb HR, 7.8×300 mm column (Tosoh Bioscience, Griesheim, Germany) equilibrated with PBS buffer and eluted at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. scTNF_(R2) and the complexes eluted at the expected size as a single major peak indicating the integrity and high purity of the proteins (FIG. 4).

Example 4: Selective Binding of the Complexes of the Present Invention to Immobilized TNF Receptors

Affinity of recombinant mouse and human TNF (rmTNF and rhTNF, Immunotools) and the protein complexes according to Example 2 to TNFRs was analyzed by binding studies with immobilized TNFR1-Fc and TNFR2-Fc fusion proteins.

ELISA plates (Greiner, Frickenhausen, Germany) were coated with huTNFR1-Fc, mTNFR1-Fc, huTNFR2-Fc or mTNFR2-Fc fusion proteins at 1 μg/ml in PBS and incubated at 4° C. overnight. Residual binding sites were blocked with 2% skim milk powder in PBS at RT for 2 hours. ScTNF_(R2) and the complexes were diluted in 2% skim milk powder in PBS and added at concentrations in the range of 10⁻³ to 10 nM and incubated for 1 hour at RT. Between each step, non-bound proteins were removed by washing 4 times with 0.005% Tween-20 in PBS.

Bound proteins were detected with mouse monoclonal antibodies to TNF (clone F6C5; 1 μg/ml; incubation for 1 hour at RT) and HRP-conjugated anti-mouse IgG antibodies (diluted 1:10000; incubation for 1 hour at RT), followed by incubation with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate solution. Reaction was stopped by addition of 1 M H₂SO₄ and the absorbance at 450 nm was determined with a Multiskan FC absorbance reader (Thermo Scientific, Karlsruhe, Germany) and data were analyzed using the software Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism 4 (GraphPad, La Jolla, Calif.) (FIG. 5). In Table 3, the calculated EC₅₀ values for the binding of TNF, scTNF_(R2) and the complexes to immobilized huTNFR2 and mTNFR2 based on the ELISA assay are summarized.

TABLE 3 EC₅₀ values (nM) for binding of TNFR-binding protein complexes to huTNFR2 and mTNFR2 huTNFR2 EHD2- p53- GCN4- scTNF_(R2) scTNF_(R2) scTNF_(R2) scTNF_(R2) 0.5539 0.5084 0.0940 0.0312 mTNFR2 EHD2-sc- p53-sc- GCN4-sc- sc-mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) 1.553  0.1116 0.0744 0.04515

Clearly, the dodecavalent complexes of the present invention showed a superior binding to both huTNFR2 and mTNFR2 relative to the trivalent and hexavalent proteins (up to >10-fold). Of the complexes of the invention, GCN4-scTNF_(R2) and GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) display the most favorable EC₅₀ values.

Affinities of scTNF_(R2) and the complexes for human TNFR2-Fc were further determined by quartz crystal microbalance measurements using an Attana Cell 200 (Attana, Stockholm, Sweden). Human TNFR2-Fc was chemically immobilized on a carboxyl sensor chip according to the manufacturer's protocol at a high and low density, respectively. Binding experiments were performed in PBST buffer (PBS, 0.1% Tween 20, pH 7.4) with a flow rate of 25 ml/min at 37° C. The chip was regenerated with 10 mM Glycine-HCl, pH 2.0. Before each measurement, a baseline was measured which was subtracted from the binding curve. Data were collected using the software provided by Attana for the particular device and analyzed by Attaché Office Evaluation software (Attana, Stockholm, Sweden) and TraceDrawer (Ridgview Instruments, Vange, Sweden) (FIG. 6). In Table 4, binding values for the binding of the hexavalent and dodecavalent mouse complexes to TNFR2 are summarized, which have been calculated based on quartz crystal microbalance measurements on a low density chip. In Table 5, binding values for the binding of the sc-mTNF_(R2) and the hexavalent and dodecavalent mouse proteins to TNFR2 are summarized, which have been calculated based on quartz crystal microbalance measurements on a high density chip.

TABLE 4 Binding of TNFR-binding protein complexes to TNFR2 on a low density chip (130 Hz) EHD2-sc- p53-sc- GCN4-sc- Protein mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) sc-mTNF_(R2) k_(on) [M⁻¹s⁻¹] 5.33 × 10⁵ 1.28 × 10⁶ 2.16 × 10⁶ n/d K_(off) [s⁻¹]   6.3 × 10⁻²  6.51 × 10⁻²  3.47 × 10⁻² n/d K_(d) (nM) 118 50.9 16.1 n/d

TABLE 5 Binding of TNFR-binding protein complexes to TNFR2 on a high density chip (270 Hz) EHD2-sc- p53-sc- GCN4-sc- Protein mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) sc-mTNF_(R2) K_(on) (M⁻¹s⁻¹) 6.07 × 10⁵ 6.16 × 10⁵ 1.67 × 10⁶ 8.08 × 10⁵ K_(off) (s⁻¹)  3.74 × 10⁻⁵  2.69 × 10⁻⁵  8.77 × 10⁻⁵  3.99 × 10⁻⁴ K_(d) (nM) 0.0615 0.0437 0.0527 0.4494 At high receptor density, both hexavalent and dodecavalent scTNF_(R2) displayed apparent ˜10 fold increased affinities for TNFR2, compared to a trivalent scTNF_(R2). Clear differences in the apparent affinity of the various proteins were revealed with a low density chip, with p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) and, in particular GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) showing higher apparent affinities for TNFR2 as compared to both, trivalent (sc-mTNF_(R2)) and hexavalent (EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2)) scTNF_(R2) variants. (Table 4). In contrast, no binding to TNFR1 was observed at any concentration tested (data not shown).

Example 5: Lack of Activation of TNFR1 by the Complexes of the Present Invention

The selectivity of protein complexes was determined using HeLa and L929 cells. Upon an activation of TNFR1, e.g. with recombinant mouse rmTNF, cells secrete interleukin 6 (IL-6). Consequently, the supernatant of the cells incubated with rmTNF or various complexes was analyzed for the presence of IL-6 using ELISA.

L929 cells (1.5×10⁴ cells/well) were grown in 96-well flat bottom cell culture plates overnight. L929 cells were treated with actinomycin D (1 μg/ml) for 30 minutes prior to addition of rmTNF or the mouse complexes of Example 1. Then cells were incubated with different protein concentrations for 24 hours at 37° C. Cells were washed with PBS and incubated with crystal violet (20% methanol, 0.5% crystal violet) for 20 minutes to stain viable cells. The dye was removed under rinsing water and cells were air-dried. Crystal violet was resolved with methanol and the optical density was determined at 550 nm. Each sample was analyzed in triplicates and data were analyzed using the software Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism 4 (GraphPad, La Jolla, Calif.) (FIG. 7A).

HeLa cells (2.0×10⁴ cells/well) were stimulated as indicated for the L929 cells above and supernatants were collected after 24 h incubation and analyzed by an ELISA specific for IL-6 according to the instructions of the manufacturer (Biolegend, San Diego, Calif., USA). The absorbance at 450 nm was determined and the amount of released IL-6 was determined with the provided standard and calculated using the software GraphPad Prism 4 (FIG. 7B).

In contrast to rmTNF, none of the tested protein complexes activated TNFR1-dependent cell death in L929, verifying that the affinity for TNFR1 was lost due to the mutations D221N/A223R. Further, in contrast to rmTNF, none of the tested protein complexes induced IL-6 secretion in HeLa cells, which also shows that the complexes tested did not have an affinity for TNFR1.

Example 6: TNFR2-Induced Cell Death in Kym-1 Cells

Bioactivity of TNFR-binding protein complexes was tested using human Kym-1 cells, which endogenously express both TNF receptors and are highly sensitive to TNF-induced cytotoxicity.

Kym-1 cells (1.5×10⁴ cells/well) were grown in 96-well flat bottom cell culture plates overnight. Kym-1 cells were incubated with different concentrations of the purified human and mouse complexes of Example 1 for 24 hours at 37° C. Cells were washed with PBS and incubated with crystal violet (20% methanol, 0.5% crystal violet) for 20 minutes to stain viable cells. The dye was removed under rinsing water and cells were air-dried. Crystal violet was resolved with methanol and the optical density was determined at 550 nm. Each sample was analyzed in triplicates and data were analyzed using the software Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism 4 (GraphPad, La Jolla, Calif.) (FIG. 8). In Table 6, the calculated EC₅₀ values for the cell death induction of the human and mouse proteins are summarized.

TABLE 6 EC₅₀ values (nM) of cell death induction using Kym-1 cells by TNFR2-binding protein complexes scTNF_(R2) EHD2-scTNF_(R2) p53-scTNF_(R2) GCN4-scTNF_(R2) 0.3467 0.0126 0.0106 0.0025 EHD2-sc- p53-sc- GCN4-sc- sc-mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) n/d 0.4527 0.0562 0.0057

Upon activation of TNFR2, Kym-1 cells express TNF at the cell surface. This TNF is capable of activating TNFR1, which in turn activates cell death pathways, such that Kym-1 cells undergo apoptosis. Bioactivity was elevated with higher oligomerization state. Both tetrameric fusion proteins show a clearly elevated bioactivity compared to dimerized EHD2 protein complexes. Unexpectedly, GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2), has a up to 10-fold higher bioactivity than p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) in this bioassay. Similar results were obtained for the human scTNF_(R2) variants, where GCN4-scTNF_(R2) displayed the highest bioactivity, approximately 5-fold higher than EHD2-scTNF_(R2) and p53-scTNFR2.

Example 7: TNFR2-Induced Proliferation of Thymocytes

Bioactivity of the mouse complexes of Example 1 was tested using thymocytes isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Thymus of C57BL/6 mice was isolated and mashed through a 40 μm cell strainer (Flacon). Cells were centrifuged (300×g, 5 min) and washed once with culture medium (RPMI 1640, 10% FCS, 50 μM β-mercaptoethanol, P/S). Then 1.5×10⁵ cells were plated onto anti-CD3 (clone 17A2, Biolegend) coated (6 h at 4° C., 1 μg/ml) 96-well plates and cultivated for 4 days in presence of the mouse complexes of Example 1.

Cell proliferation was determined by measuring cell viability via MTT assay. Cells were incubated with MTT (0.5 mg/ml) for 2 hours at 37° C. Then lysis buffer (10% SDS, 20 nM HCl) was added, cells were lysed overnight and the optical density was determined at 550 nm. Each sample was analyzed in triplicates and data were analyzed using the software Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism 4 (FIG. 9). Table 7 summarizes the EC₅₀ values of the thymocyte proliferation as determined via the MTT assay.

TABLE 7 EC₅₀ values (nM) of thymocyte proliferation induction by TNFR2-binding protein complexes EHD2-sc- p53-sc- GCN4-sc- sc-mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) mTNF_(R2) n/d 0.0700 0.0650 0.0185

After 4 days of cultivation, GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) showed an approx. 3-fold increased bioactivity, evident from lower EC₅₀ value in the in vitro thymocyte proliferation induction relative to EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2). whereas p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) displayed comparable activity with EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2) in this bioassay.

Example 8: TNFR2-Induced Secretion of Cxcl-2

Bioactivity of the mouse complexes of Example 1 was tested using BV-2 cells. BV-2 cells were stimulated in presence of the mouse complexes of Example 1, supernatants were collected after 24 hours and analyzed by an ELISA specific for Cxcl-2 (BV-2, R&D Systems, Minneapolis Minn.) according to the instructions of the manufacturer. The absorbance at 450 nm was determined and the amount of released Cxcl-2 was determined with the provided standard and calculated using the software GraphPad Prism. Table 8 summarizes the EC₅₀ values of the Cxcl-2 secretion as determined via the ELISA (FIG. 10).

TABLE 8 EC₅₀ values (nM) of Cxcl-2 secretion induced by different TNFR2-binding protein complexes SC-mTNF_(R2) 1.07 EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2) 0.44 p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) 0.13 GCN4-SC-mTNF_(R2) 0.03

p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) and particularly GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) showed a significantly increased bioactivity, evident from a 3 to 10 fold lower EC₅₀ value relative to EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2) and sc-mTNFR2.

Example 9: TNFR2-Induced TNF/TNFR2 Clustering

Bioactivity of the mouse complexes of Example 1 was tested using BV-2 cells. BV-2 cells were stimulated with the mouse complexes of Example 1 for 15 minutes at 37° C. Then cells were immediately washed two times with ice cold PBS and fixed with 4% PFA in PBS solution. Then unspecific binding sites were blocked with 4% BSA in PBS and cells were incubated with antibodies against TNF (HP8001, Hbt) and TNFR2 (AF-426-PB, R&D systems), followed by detection with appropriate fluorescence labeled antibodies. Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI. Stainings were analyzed on a Zeiss Axio Observer Spinning Disc microscope equipped with a Plan-Apochromat 63x/1.4 Oil DIC objective and an Axiocam 503 mono CCD camera. The following excitation lasers and emission filters were used: DAPI: 405 diode laser, 450/50 nm filter; GFP, 488 nm diode laser, 525/50 nm filter; RFP, 561 nm (RFP) diode laser, 600/50 nm filter. Z-stacks of tile regions containing 6×6 images were acquired and maximum intensity projections were calculated. Image processing was done in Zen blue 2.1 software (Zeiss, Germany).

Quantitative image analysis was done with CellProfiler version 2.2.49. Nuclei were segmented via the DAPI staining and a 120 pixel wide ring mask was drawn around each nucleus representing the cell mask. TNF Vesicles were segmented under the cell mask using the A488 staining and unified for each cell. Mean intensity of the TNFR2 signal using the A546 staining was measured under the unified vesicles representing the grade of co-localized vesicles between TNFR2 and TNF per cell (FIG. 11). The results favorably show that both p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) and GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) induce formation of signal competent TNF/TNFR2 clusters visible as large white dots within the stimulated cells.

Example 10: Bioactivity Using Immune Cells

Expression of activation markers CD25 and HLA-DR on human T cells and CD25 and TNFR2 on mouse T cells is upregulated in presence of TNFR2-selective proteins.

Blood of volunteer human donors was diluted 1:2 with RPMI medium. Then 30 ml diluted blood was layered over 10 ml Histopaque-1077 (Sigma-Aldrich, Darmstadt, Germany) and centrifuged for 20 min at 800×g without brake. Interphase, including mononuclear cells of peripheral blood (PBMCs) was removed and washed with 30 ml RPMI (300×g, 5 min). For removal of platelets, cells were resuspended in 40 ml RPMI and centrifuged for 5 min at 200×g. Then, CD3+ T cells were isolated by magnetic separation using the Pan T Cell Isolation Kit (Miltenyi Biotech). Purified T cells were resuspended in X-Vivo 15 medium (Lonza, Basel, Switzerland) and cells were plated in αCD3 coated (6 h at 4° C.) 96-well (U form) plates for T cell activation. Cells were cultivated in presence of IL-2 (10 U/ml) and mouse complexes of Example 1 for 4 days. Then surface expression of CD4, CD8, CD25 and HLA-DR was determined by flow cytometry according to manufacturer's instructions (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany) (FIG. 12A).

Spleens from C57BL/6 wildtype mice were dissociated through a 40 μm cell strainer and collected in 10 ml MACS buffer (PBS, 0.5% BSA, 2 mM EDTA). Splenocytes were centrifuged (300 g, 5 min) and washed once with 10 ml MACS buffer. Then CD3⁺ T cells were isolated using the FACS Aria III and plated in anti-CD3 coated (6 h at 4° C.) 96-well (U form) plates for T cell activation. T cells were cultivated in presence of IL-2 and mouse proteins of Example 1 for 4 days. Then expression of CD25 and TNFR2 was determined by flow cytometry according to manufacturer's instructions (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch-Gladbach). Data were acquired using a MACSQuant Analyzer 10 (Miltenyi) and analyzed with FlowJo (FlowJo, LLC) (FIG. 12B).

In particular, GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) and p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) displayed superior bioactivity relative to EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2).

Example 11: Bioactivity Using Mouse T Cells

TNFR2 is involved in expansion of Tregs and thereby contributes to immune regulation and immune suppression. Spleens from C57BL/6 wildtype mice were dissociated through a 40 μm cell strainer and collected in 10 ml MACS buffer (PBS, 0.5% BSA, 2 mM EDTA). Splenocytes were centrifuged (300 g, 5 min) and washed once with 10 ml MACS buffer. Then CD3⁺ T cells were isolated using the FACS Aria III and plated in anti-CD3 coated (6 h at 4° C.) 96-well (U form) plates for T cell activation. T cells were cultivated in presence of IL-2 and complexes of Example 1 for 4 days. Then expression of CD25, TNFR2 and FoxP3 was determined by flow cytometry according to manufacturer's instructions (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch-Gladbach). Data were acquired using a MACSQuant Analyzer 10 (Miltenyi) and analyzed with FlowJo (FlowJo, LLC) (FIG. 13)

The results show that the dodecavalent complexes induce a superior Treg expansion compared to the hexavalent complexes.

Example 12: In Vivo Bioactivity

EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2), p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) and GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) of Example 1 (1 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneal (i.p.) to C57BL/6 wildtype mice. After 4 days a second injection (1 mg/kg) was applied. After 7 days, spleens were excised and splenocytes were isolated. Isolated spleens were dissociated through a 40 μm cell strainer and collected in 10 ml MACS buffer (PBS, 0.5% BSA, 2 mM EDTA). Splenocytes were centrifuged (300 g, 5 min) and incubated in 3 ml RBC buffer (0.15 M NH₄Cl, 10 mM KHCO₃, 0.1 M EDTA) per spleen for 5 minutes at room temperature to lyse red blood cells. Then 10 ml MACS buffer was added and splenocytes were centrifuged for 5 min at 300 g. Cells were washed once with 10 ml MACS buffer (5 min, 300×g) and afterwards collected in MACS buffer. Expression of markers CD25 and FoxP3 within the subpopulation of CD4⁺ T cells was determined by flow cytometry according to manufacturer's instructions (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch-Gladbach) (FIG. 14A).

In vivo both p53-sc-mTNF_(R2) and GCN4-sc-mTNF_(R2) are more potent than EHD2-sc-mTNF_(R2), as indicated by the increased amount of regulatory T cells in the spleen of treated mice.

Tolerance of the proteins was determined by measuring CRP levels in the blood after administration (1 mg/kg, i.p.) of the mouse proteins of Example 1. Therefore, total blood was withdrawn 24 hours and 72 hours after injection and CRP levels were determined by an ELISA specific for mouse CRP (R&D Systems) according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

No differences between the different proteins were observed indicating the tolerance of the different oligomeric variants (FIG. 14B).

Example 13: Dodecavalent TNFR2-Selective Agonists Using VASP as Tetramerization Domain or Fc as Dimerization Domain

The tetramerization domain of human VASP (aa 336-380) (SEQ ID NO: 86) was fused to the N-terminal end of a human single-chain TNF variant (scTNF_(R2), D143N/A145R) (SEQ ID NO: 81) via a peptide linker L3 consisting of GAPGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGGSGGSEFLA (SEQ ID NO: 41) resulting in VASP-scTNF_(R2) (SEQ ID NO: 90).

Furthermore, the human scTNF_(R2) variant (SEQ ID NO: 81) was fused to the N- and C-terminal ends of the dimerization domain of Fc mutant Fcγ1 (Δab; E233P, L234V, L235A, ΔG236, A327G, A330S, P331S) with abolished ADCC/CDC functionality (SEQ ID NO: 83). The trivalent PLGs are connected to the N-terminus of the Fe (Δab) dimerization domain via a peptide linker L3 consisting of GGSGGGGSGG (SEQ ID NO: 99) and to the C-terminus via a peptide linker L4 consisting of GGSGGGSSGG (SEQ ID NO: 100) to give scTNF_(R2)—Fc-scTNF_(R2) (SEQ ID NO: 87).

The overall codon usage of the constructs was adapted for expression in mammalian cells. To facilitate purification, an N-terminal His-tag was introduced in all constructs.

The complexes, VASP-scTNF_(R2) and scTNF_(R2)—Fc-scTNF_(R2), were produced in HEK293-6E cells, purified by Ni²⁺-NTA IMAC and analyzed under native buffer conditions by size exclusion chromatography (FIG. 15A). scTNF_(R2)—Fc-scTNF_(R2) eluted as a major peak corresponding to dimeric assembly and VASP-scTNF_(R2) eluted as a major peak corresponding to tetrameric assembly. Disulfide-connected dimers of the expected molecular mass were confirmed by SDS-PAGE for scTNF_(R2)—Fc-scTNF_(R2) (FIG. 15B, Table 9). VASP-scTNF₂ showed in SDS-PAGE bands of similar size at reducing and non-reducing conditions, in accordance with non-covalent assembly of the VASP tetramerization domain. SDS-PAGE further confirmed purity and integrity of the expressed polypeptide chains.

To investigate bioactivity, Kym-1 cells were stimulated with scTNF_(R2)-Fc-scTNF_(R2), VASP-scTNF_(R2) and hexavalent EHD2-scTNF_(R2) as control. The cell viability was determined by crystal violet assay after 16 h. Here, an EC₅₀ value of 37 μM was determined for the hexavalent EHD2-scTNF_(R2) protein. In contrast, the two dodecavalent molecules scTNF_(R2)-Fc-scTNF_(R2) and VASP-scTNF_(R2) had EC₅₀ values of 8.5 and 7.0 μM (FIG. 15C). Thus, the bioactivity of the dodecavalent fusion proteins was approximately 5-fold increased compared to the hexavalent protein.

TABLE 9 Calculated molecular mass of further TNF_(R2) binding protein complexes of the present invention VASP-scTNF_(R2) scTNF_(R2)-Fc-scTNF_(R2) MW [kDa] 247.9 263.5 The present invention relates to the following items:

-   1. A tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) binding protein complex     comprising 12 or more protein ligands (PLs) that specifically bind     to the extracellular part of the same TNFR, preferably to TNFR2. -   2. The TNFR binding protein complex of item 1, comprising between 12     to 18, preferably 12 PLs. -   3. The TNFR binding protein complex of items 1 or 2, wherein between     2 to 6 PLs, preferably 3, form a protein ligand group (PLG) with the     following structure:

PL₁-L1-PL₂-L1-PL₃-L1-PL₄-L1-PL₅-L1-PL₆,

-   -   wherein     -   any of PL4 to PL₆, and/or L1 may be absent or present, L1 in         each case independently means a peptide linker.

-   4. The TNFR binding protein complex of item 3, comprising between 2     to 6 PLGs and each PLG comprising between 2 to 6 PLs.

-   5. The TNFR binding protein complex of items 3 or 4, wherein the     PLGs are linked to each other through a peptide linker 2 (L2) to     form a PLG-multimer.

-   6. The TNFR binding protein complex of any of items 3 to 5, further     comprising two or more polymerization domains (PD), preferably each     linked via their N- and/or C-terminus to a PLG or a PLG-multimer,     optionally through a peptide linker 3 (L3).

-   7. The TNFR binding protein complex of item 6, wherein the PD is     selected from the group consisting of a dimerization domain, a     trimerization domain or a tetramerization domain.

-   8. The TNFR binding protein complex of item 7, wherein the:     -   (i) dimerization domain is selected from the group consisting of         heavy chain domain 2 (CH2) of IgM (MHD2) or IgE (EHD2),         immunoglobulin Fc region, heavy chain domain 3 (CH3) of IgG or         IgA, heavy chain domain 4 (CH4) of IgM or IgE, Fab, Fab₂,         leucine zipper motifs, barnase-barstar dimers, miniantibodies,         and ZIP miniantibodies;     -   (ii) trimerization domain is selected from the group consisting         of tenascin C (TNC), the trimerization region of the C-terminal         noncollagenous domain (NC1) of collagen XVIII, Fab3 like         molecules, and TriBi-minibodies; or     -   (iii) tetramerization domain is selected from the group         consisting of the tetramerization domain of p53, the         tetramerization domain of the general control protein 4 (GCN4),         the tetramerization domain of VASP (vasodilator stimulated         phosphoprotein), tandem diabodies, and di-diabodies.

-   9. The TNFR binding protein complex of any of items 6 to 8(i) and     (ii), wherein each PD comprises at least one amino acid residue     capable of forming a covalent bond to at least one amino acid     residue in another PD, preferably a Cys residue.

-   10. The TNFR binding protein complex of any of items 6 to 9, wherein     L3 has a length of between 4 to 32 acids and wherein L3 optionally     comprises at least one glycosylation motif, preferably at least one     motif is glycosylated.

-   11. The TNFR binding protein complex of item 10, wherein L3     comprises one or more repetitive units selected from the group     consisting of (GGS)_(p), (GGGS)_(n) or (GGSGG)_(m), wherein p is an     integer between 1 and 10, n is an integer between 1 and 8 and m is     an integer between 1 to 6.

-   12. The TNFR binding protein complex of any of items 1 to 11,     wherein each PL is independently of each other selected from the     group consisting of a TNF homology domain of a TNF-ligand family     member protein (THD), a scaffold-protein and a peptidomimetic.

-   13. The TNFR binding protein complex of item 12, wherein the     TNF-ligand family member protein is selected from the group     consisting of TNF, TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL or     TNFSF10, tumor necrosis factor superfamily member), CD40L (TNFSF5),     CD27L (TNFSF7), CD30L (TNFSF8), FasL (TNFSF6), 4-1BBL (TNFSF9),     OX40L (TNFSF4), EDA; LTA (TNFSF1), LTB (TNFSF3), CD153 (TNFSF8),     RANKL (TNFSF11), TWEAK (TNFSF12), APRIL (TNFSF13), BAFF (TNFSF13B),     LIGHT (TNFSF14), VEGI (TNFSF15), and GITRL (TNFSF18).

-   14. The TNFR binding protein complex of any of items 1 to 12,     wherein the TNF-ligand family member protein is TNF or LTA.

-   15. The TNFR binding protein complex of item 14, wherein said TNF     comprises a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 43 which comprises one     or more TNFR2 specific mutations selected from the group consisting     of D143Y, D143F, D143E, D143N, E146Q, E146H, E146K A145R/S147T,     Q88N/T89S/A145S/E146A/S147D, Q88N/A1451/E146G/S147D,     A145H/E146S/S147D, A145H/S147D, L29V/A145D/E146D/S147D,     A145N/E146D/S147D, A145T/E146S/S147D, A145Q/E146D/S147D,     A145T/E146D/S147D, A145D/E146G/S147D, A145D/S147D,     A145K/E146D/S147T, A145R/E146T/S147D, A145R/S147T, E146D/S147D,     E146N/S147, K65W, D143N, D143E, D143F, D143W, D143Y, D143V,     D143V/F144L/A145S, D143N/A145R, D143V/A145S, A145R, A145H, A145K,     A145F, and A145W.

-   16. The TNFR binding protein complex of any of items 12 to 15,     wherein the C-terminus of the first THD, respectively, which is     defined by the C-terminal consensus sequence

(SEQ ID NO: 1) -S/T/V-F/Y/S-F-G-A/L/V/I-X₁,

-   -   is linked to the N-terminus of the second THD, which is defined         by the N-terminal consensus sequence

(SEQ ID NO: 2) X₂-V/A/F-A-H-V/L/I/Y, or (SEQ ID NO: 3) X₃-V/W/F/C-A/L-E/Y/Q/H-L,

-   -   through L1, which has a length of 2 to 20 amino acids,         preferably 2 to 15 amino acids, more preferably 3 to 10 amino         acids and most preferably of 3 to 5 amino acids;     -   wherein X₁ is a non-polar/hydrophob or polar/neutral amino acid,         preferably selected from the group consisting of F, V, Q, A, I,         L, and Y;     -   wherein X₂ is selected from the group consisting of P, K, V, I,         and A; and     -   wherein X₃ is selected from the group consisting of D, S, M, and         I;     -   optionally further comprising one to four further THDs each         consecutively linked to each other in the same way as the first         and second THD.

-   17. The TNFR binding protein complex of item 12, wherein the     peptidomimetic is selected from the group consisting of     (lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI-D1); affilins,     selected from human-γ B crystalline or human ubiquitin; cystatin;     Sac7D from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius; lipocalin and anticalins     derived from lipocalins; designed ankyrin repeat domains (DARPins);     SH3 domain of Fyn; Kunits domain of protease inhibitors; monobodies     selected from the 10^(th) type III domain of fibronectin; adnectins;     cysteine knot miniproteins; atrimers; evibodies, selected from     CTLA4-based binders, affibodies, selected from three-helix bundle     from Z-domain of protein A from Staphylococcus aureus; trans-bodies,     selected from human transferrin; tetranectins, selected from     monomeric or trimeric human C-type lectin domain; microbodies,     selected from trypsin-inhibitor-II; affilins; armadillo repeat     proteins.

-   18. A nucleic acid encoding a TNFR binding protein complex according     to any of items 1 to 17 or a PLG comprised therein.

-   19. A vector comprising a nucleic acid according to item 18.

-   20. A TNFR binding protein complex according to any of items 1 to     17, a nucleic acid according to item 18 or a vector according to     item 19 for use as a medicament.

-   21. A pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active agent a     TNFR binding protein complex according to any of items 1 to 17 or a     nucleic acid according to item 18 or a vector according to item 19.

-   22. A TNFR binding protein complex according to any of items 1 to 17     or a nucleic acid according to item 18 or a vector according to item     19 or a pharmaceutical composition according to item 21 for use in     the diagnosis, prophylaxis or treatment of hyperproliferative     disorders or inflammatory disorders, preferably cancer or     malignancies of the hematologic system, autoimmune disorders and     neurodegenerative diseases. 

1. A tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) binding protein complex comprising 12 or more protein ligands (PLs) that specifically bind to the extracellular part of the same TNFR, preferably to TNFR2.
 2. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 1, comprising between 12 to 18, preferably 12 PLs.
 3. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 1, wherein between 2 to 6 PLs, preferably 3, form a protein ligand group (PLG) with the following structure: PL₁-L1-PL₂-L1-PL₃-L1-PL₄-L1-PL₅-L1-PL₆, wherein any of PL₄ to PL₆, and/or L1 may be absent or present, L1 in each case independently means a peptide linker.
 4. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 3, comprising between 2 to 6 PLGs and each PLG comprising between 2 to 6 PLs.
 5. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 3, wherein the PLGs are linked to each other through a peptide linker 2 (L2) to form a PLG-multimer.
 6. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 3, further comprising two or more polymerization domains (PD), preferably each linked via their N- and/or C-terminus to a PLG or a PLG-multimer, optionally through a peptide linker 3 (L3).
 7. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 6, wherein the PD is selected from the group consisting of a dimerization domain, a trimerization domain or a tetramerization domain, preferably wherein the (i) dimerization domain is selected from the group consisting of heavy chain domain 2 (CH2) of IgM (MHD2) or IgE (EHD2), immunoglobulin Fc region, heavy chain domain 3 (CH3) of IgG or IgA, heavy chain domain 4 (CH4) of IgM or IgE, Fab, Fab₂, leucine zipper motifs, barnase-barstar dimers, miniantibodies, and ZIP miniantibodies; (ii) trimerization domain is selected from the group consisting of tenascin C (TNC), the trimerization region of the C-terminal noncollagenous domain (NC1) of collagen XVIII, Fab3 like molecules, and TriBi-minibodies; or (iii) tetramerization domain is selected from the group consisting of the tetramerization domain of p53, the tetramerization domain of the general control protein 4 (GCN4), the tetramerization domain of VASP (vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein), tandem diabodies, and di-diabodies.
 8. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 1, wherein each PL is independently of each other selected from the group consisting of a TNF homology domain of a TNF-ligand family member protein (THD), a scaffold-protein and a peptidomimetic, preferably wherein the TNF-ligand family member protein is selected from the group consisting of TNF, TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL or TNFSF10, tumor necrosis factor superfamily member), CD40L (TNFSF5), CD27L (TNFSF7), CD30L (TNFSF8), FasL (TNFSF6), 4-1BBL (TNFSF9), OX40L (TNFSF4), EDA; LTA (TNFSF1), LTB (TNFSF3), CD153 (TNFSF8), RANKL (TNFSF11), TWEAK (TNFSF12), APRIL (TNFSF13), BAFF (TNFSF13B), LIGHT (TNFSF14), VEGI (TNFSF15), and GITRL (TNFSF18).
 9. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 1, wherein the TNF-ligand family member protein is TNF or LTA, preferably wherein said TNF comprises a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 43 which comprises one or more TNFR2 specific mutations selected from the group consisting of D143Y, D143F, D143E, D143N, E146Q, E146H, E146K A145R/S147T, Q88N/T89S/A145S/E146A/S147D, Q88N/A1451/E146G/S147D, A145H/E146S/S147D, A145H/S147D, L29V/A145D/E146D/S147D, A145N/E146D/S147D, A145T/E146S/S147D, A145Q/E146D/S147D, A145T/E146D/S147D, A145D/E146G/S147D, A145D/S147D, A145K/E146D/S147T, A145R/E146T/S147D, A145R/S147T, E146D/S147D, E146N/S147, K65W, D143N, D143E, D143F, D143W, D143Y, D143V, D143V/F144L/A145S, D143N/A145R, D143V/A145S, A145R, A145H, A145K, A145F, and A145W.
 10. The TNFR binding protein complex of claim 8, wherein the C-terminus of the first THD, respectively, which is defined by the C-terminal consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) -S/T/V-F/Y/S-F-G-A/L/V/I-X₁, 

is linked to the N-terminus of the second THD, which is defined by the N-terminal consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) X₂-V/A/F-A-H-V/L/PY, or (SEQ ID NO: 3) X₃-V/W/F/C-A/L-E/Y/Q/H-L,

through L1, which has a length of 2 to 20 amino acids, preferably 2 to 15 amino acids, more preferably 3 to 10 amino acids and most preferably of 3 to 5 amino acids; wherein X₁ is a non-polar/hydrophob or polar/neutral amino acid, preferably selected from the group consisting of F, V, Q, A, I, L, and Y; wherein X₂ is selected from the group consisting of P, K, V, I, and A; and wherein X₃ is selected from the group consisting of D, S, M, and I; optionally further comprising one to four further THDs each consecutively linked to each other in the same way as the first and second THD.
 11. A nucleic acid encoding a TNFR binding protein complex according to claim 1 or a PLG comprised therein.
 12. A vector comprising a nucleic acid according to claim
 11. 13. A TNFR binding protein complex according to claim 1 for use as a medicament.
 14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active agent a TNFR binding protein complex according to claim
 1. 15. A TNFR binding protein complex according to claim 1 for use in the diagnosis, prophylaxis or treatment of hyperproliferative disorders or inflammatory disorders, preferably cancer or malignancies of the hematologic system, autoimmune disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. 